Tips on how to look after a voice

Press, 30 January 1986, Page 28

Tips on how to look after a voice

PA Dunedin People who use their voices as part of their work need the help of speech therapists, according to a visiting expert. Mrs Ginnie Green, a lecturer in speech and hearing science at the Western Australian Institute of Technology, Perth, is one of two principal speakers at the New Zealand Speech Therapists’ Association, conference in Dunedin. “If an actor or an announcer ruins his voice, he loses his job. They need to take care of them,” Mrs Green said.“ Fortunately most professional voices realise the need for voice care.” Mrs Green said that although professionals knew when they hjad a problem and where to go

for help, members of the public would often have a sore throat or hoarse voice for weeks without doing anything about it. The voice box or larynx was made of muscle, and just like any other muscle' it could get tired with over use, she said.

“Shouting and screaming or prolonged use can cause vocal nodules, small lumps on the voice box.” Emotions had a lot to do with the voice; shouting and screaming when upset could wreck a voice, Mrs Green said.

“We try to modify people’s emotional responses. We will tell them to slam the doors rather than shout. You might break the hinges but you will still have a voice — and a job.”

Prevention was also important. People needed education about the dangers of smoking, or dry dusty environments and drugs, as well as shouting.

"Just one example of preventive measures is swallowing to clear your throat, instead of coughing, which is pretty hard on the larynx.”