- Avoid Screaming and excessive voice use.
- Treat coughs as soon as possible and try to minimize coughing whenever possible.
- Drink plenty of water (2-3 liters/day)peak with adequate pauses, controlling speed.
- Use adequate melodic patterns for your speaking voice. Pitch and intensity changes help convey meaning, too. Articulate words precisely for better intelligibility.
- Avoid talking above loud background noise. Wear one earplug to hear yourself better in loud environments.
- Avoid talking with people who are far away. Walk closer to them and then talk.
- Control the volume of your voice when laughing.
- Keep volume level low when using earbuds so that you are not tempted to speak louder than you may realize.
- Keep airflow smooth during exercise; do not hold your breath (especially while weightlifting). Avoid bearing down.
- Stand up straight and do not tilt your head backward or to the sides when speaking.
- Control acid reflux.
- Do not smoke and avoid smoky environments. Avoid contact with laryngeal irritants.
- Take frequent “voice naps”. Let your voice recover.
- Avoid eating spicy and highly acidic foods.
- Avoid using your voice for long periods of time when you have nasal congestion. Seek help to treat chronic congestion.
- If your voice quality changes suddenly, rest your voice and consult your physician or laryngologist.
- Wear an earplug during loud events. You will hear yourself better when you speak and not strain your voice as much.
- If your voice loss is gradual and does not improve within 2 weeks, consult your physician or laryngologist.
- If you are speaking or singing in a way that makes you hoarse or causes discomfort, STOP!
Overall a big message is always to avoid clearing your throat. If you feel that there is something in your throat, quickly exhale a large amount of air (no voice), then swallow several sips of water, gently inhale through your nose.
