Did you know there is a day in the annual calendar known as 'WORLD VOICE DAY'? I didn't. It was after I came across an article in Mediacorp's TODAY newspaper that I realized there is such a day. And you know what else I discovered? That our healthcare professionals have been marking this day since 2002. How's that for news!
Anyway, leaving the surprise factor aside, World Voice Day was on April 16 and this year's theme is 'Invest In Your Voice'.
When you think about it, your voice is a really critical tool of communication but most people tend not to give it much thought unless they use it professionally on a day to day basis. Or perhaps, until they start to lose their voice or get it all hoarse and scratchy.
This year's theme is a good one because it draws your attention to the need to take some time to listen to our voice instead of other's for a change. Of course, paying attention to our voice is something we should do everyday, especially since our vocal cords can be damaged so easily.
Dr Paul Mok, a Voice Specialist from Alexandra Hospital remarked that "people don’t realize that our vocal cords can vibrate many times in a single second. The more we shout, strain or abuse the voice, the faster the vocal cords will slam against each other, resulting in a swollen and inflamed throat".
He also said, "Most times, if you lose your voice, it will come back
within 48 to 72 hours. But if the problem that causes the voice to degenerate continues, there is no chance for recovery and irreversible changes can happen to the vocal folds such as scarring, permanently dilated blood vessels and so on".
Sounds scary, bit it is something we can avoid. After all, the problem does not lie in how much we talk, but the way we talk and whether we practice good vocal habits. This is good news for heavy users of the voice such as those who love singing and talking like singers, teachers, actors and lawyers.
For them, speech therapist Kristen Linnemeyer, also from Alexandra Hospital, recommends doing frequent vocal exercises such as the tongue trill or lip roll as effective ways to warm up the voice and keep it in good condition. Relaxing the neck muscles and physical massaging of the throat is also a good exercise.
"Most importantly", she added, "you have to be in tune with your voice, how it sounds and how it feels. Most people get into trouble with their voice when they try to force and overcome what's naturally going on".
When you are already down with the flu and sore throat, there is no instant cure. The body needs time to heal. The key is to rest and drink plenty of fluids and stay away from smoke to avoid inflaming the
throat.
Anyway, leaving the surprise factor aside, World Voice Day was on April 16 and this year's theme is 'Invest In Your Voice'.
When you think about it, your voice is a really critical tool of communication but most people tend not to give it much thought unless they use it professionally on a day to day basis. Or perhaps, until they start to lose their voice or get it all hoarse and scratchy.
This year's theme is a good one because it draws your attention to the need to take some time to listen to our voice instead of other's for a change. Of course, paying attention to our voice is something we should do everyday, especially since our vocal cords can be damaged so easily.
Dr Paul Mok, a Voice Specialist from Alexandra Hospital remarked that "people don’t realize that our vocal cords can vibrate many times in a single second. The more we shout, strain or abuse the voice, the faster the vocal cords will slam against each other, resulting in a swollen and inflamed throat".
He also said, "Most times, if you lose your voice, it will come back
within 48 to 72 hours. But if the problem that causes the voice to degenerate continues, there is no chance for recovery and irreversible changes can happen to the vocal folds such as scarring, permanently dilated blood vessels and so on".
Sounds scary, bit it is something we can avoid. After all, the problem does not lie in how much we talk, but the way we talk and whether we practice good vocal habits. This is good news for heavy users of the voice such as those who love singing and talking like singers, teachers, actors and lawyers.
For them, speech therapist Kristen Linnemeyer, also from Alexandra Hospital, recommends doing frequent vocal exercises such as the tongue trill or lip roll as effective ways to warm up the voice and keep it in good condition. Relaxing the neck muscles and physical massaging of the throat is also a good exercise.
"Most importantly", she added, "you have to be in tune with your voice, how it sounds and how it feels. Most people get into trouble with their voice when they try to force and overcome what's naturally going on".
When you are already down with the flu and sore throat, there is no instant cure. The body needs time to heal. The key is to rest and drink plenty of fluids and stay away from smoke to avoid inflaming the
throat.Try some of these warm up exercises.
A Low Focussed Breath: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Breath-Relaxation.wmv
A Jaw Release: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Jaw-Release.wmv
A Lip Trill: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/-0831836.wmv
A Tongue Trill: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Tongue-Trills.wmv
A Sample Guide: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Two-Octave-Scales.wmv
An Example Of Sirens/Kazoo Buzz: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Siren-Kazoo-Buzz-2.wmv
An Example Of A Cool Down: http://www.entnet.org/AboutUs/upload/Cool-Down.wmv
You can visit this website if you want to know more: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/aboutVoice.cfm
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