Patient Information & Education
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Voice Care
Taking care of your voice (and throat)

Hoarseness or other difficulties with talking may occur for many reasons and can be treated with medical and surgical therapies. One of the most important aspects of treating hoarseness (or other changes in voice) is following good habits to prevent voice and throat problems. In addition to treatment prescribed by the physician, it is important to follow these guidelines. Some of these suggestions may be recommended to help patients with sore throats, chronic cough or other upper respiratory ailments.

• Pay close attention to how you use your voice. Avoid screaming, shouting, or continuous talking. Move closer to the listener to decrease the strain on your voice. Make people at work and home aware that communication for you is improved when you are in closer proximity.
  
• Minimize talking on the phone to less than 15 minutes at a time, if possible.
  
• If you are in an environment with loud background noise, avoid talking louder. Try to communicate in a different area or decrease the noise (e.g. radio)
  
• Minimize singing until your voice improves.
  
• Avoid clearing the throat because this causes trauma to the voice box. It may be helpful to carry a bottle of water so that you can take a small sip of water instead of clearing the throat.
  
• Coughing should be avoided if at all possible.
  
• Strictly avoid smoking or those who do smoke.
• When nervous or tense, speak slowly and clearly. Whispering can worsen the voice as well, so strictly not speaking is preferred when possible.
• If you have a respiratory infection (e.g. a cold or bronchitis), speak as little as possible during this time.
• Staying well hydrated is very important. The average adult should have 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Avoid beverages with caffeine.
• Humidification of the environment is important to avoid drying of the throat.
• Since acid reflux can worsen the voice, try to minimize fried/fatty foods, caffeine, large meals, and sleeping soon after eating. Even if you don't have "heartburn," the voice can still be worsened if acid reflux is not controlled. Elevation of the head of the bed with wooden blocks or telephone books at night may be helpful.
• Strictly avoid smoking or those who do smoke.
• Alcohol has a drying effect on the voice and should be restricted.
• Unless prescribed by your physician for a serious condition, try not to use decongestants, antihistamines, and diuretics (water pills), since they can cause dryness of the voice.

By following the above recommendations and the advice of the physician, you can greatly improve the likelihood that your voice will recover. Remember, changing some of these habits can take time, so be patient.