Did you know your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have?
Your voice is part of who you are. It expresses your thoughts, emotions and personality.
Yet, many of us don’t think about our voice when we think about our health.
Voice problems can affect communication, confidence and even careers – especially for teachers, singers, public speakers, lawyers, trotro mates and others who rely on their voice every day.
Your voice helps you to express emotions like joy, love, or frustration, connect with others and build relationships, sing, speak, laugh and even comfort someone, share your ideas and make your voice literally heard.
Changes
Changes in your voice like hoarseness, strain or a sore throat can be signs that something's wrong.
Voice problems can have many causes beyond just functional or organic issues.
They may be linked to nerve problems, like vocal cord paralysis or neurological conditions, or psychological factors such as stress or anxiety.
Medical conditions like reflux, thyroid disorders, allergies, or infections can also affect the voice.
Hormonal changes, especially during puberty or menopause, may impact vocal quality.
In addition, lifestyle habits like smoking, poor hydration, vocal overuse and exposure to dust or pollution can strain or damage the voice.
Because so many factors can affect your voice, it’s important to seek help if you notice any changes.
If you notice unusual voice changes, don’t ignore them. See a doctor or an Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist to get the right support.
Tips
To maintain a good and healthy voice, there are a few tips that can be very helpful.
Staying well hydrated is essential, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day is recommended.
Ideally, this should be around two to three litres a day, which is roughly the same as four to six sachets of water.
It's also important to be mindful of how much tea, coffee and soft drinks like Coca-Cola you consume, as these contain caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.
Alcohol intake should be limited as well, since drinking too much can negatively affect your voice.
If you do consume alcohol, be sure to also drink enough water to stay balanced.
Another habit to watch out for is constantly clearing your throat.
This can actually harm your voice over time, so it's better to sip water instead if you feel the urge to clear your throat.
Try to stay away from environments that are dusty or smoky, as these can irritate and dry out your throat.
Smoking, in particular, should be avoided because it is a known cause of throat cancer, which directly affects the voice.
Habits
Certain vocal habits can also put strain on your voice and should be minimised.
These include shouting, screaming and even frequent whispering, as they can all damage your voice box.
For example, avoid shouting too much during football matches, singing or worshipping loudly at religious gatherings, or trying to talk over loud background noise.
In situations where you're addressing a large group, consider using a microphone to avoid straining your voice.
If you suffer from reflux, it’s a good idea to speak to your pharmacist or doctor to get appropriate medication and advice, as reflux can irritate your throat, especially at night.
Finally, taking steps to manage stress can also improve the quality of your voice, since stress can have a negative impact on how your voice functions.
If you notice any change in your voice and you are concerned, please see your doctor who might refer you to an ENT specialist if the need arises.
You may be referred to a speech and language therapist experienced in treating voice problems, should you have an issue needing intervention.
Your voice is more than just sound, it's a reflection of you.
When we care for our voice, we care for our well-being, confidence and ability to connect with others.
So take a moment to appreciate your voice. Listen to it.
Care for it. Empower it.
Your voice deserves to be heard today and every day!
TThe writer is a Speech and Language Therapist,
University of Ghana.
E-mail:jobamp@hotmail.com
