Any profession that requires three or more hours of speaking or singing per day is considered to be vocally demanding. This includes teachers, attorneys, receptionists and salespeople, along with singers, broadcast personalities and actors. Voice disorders are fairly common and often go untreated.
Approximately 6% of the general population has a current voice disorder with women being more at risk. 45% of women will have a voice disorder in their lifetime versus 37% of men.
Symptoms include hoarseness, effortful talking, persistent pain or sore throat with voice use, reduced volume, chronic cough or throat clearing, and reduced vocal endurance. Adults and children can experience symptoms.
Any sudden or severe voice changes should be evaluated immediately. Gradual onset of hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or other symptoms of laryngitis that persist for longer than three weeks should be evaluated as well.
University of Utah Health Care’s Voice Disorders Center offers specialized speech therapy and a treatment option that isn’t available anywhere else in the Intermountain region: http://www.healthcare.utah.edu/voicecenter.
Tips to Keep Your Voice Healthy
Do not smoke.
Drink plenty of water.
Use a microphone if you are talking frequently or to large groups.
Warm up your voice before you use it.
Practice good breathing techniques.
Try not to scream or yell.
The Voice Disorders Center will offer free voice screenings on Thursday, May 31. Schedule your appointment by calling 801-587-3549. There are limited slots available so pre-registration is require.