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Voice is one of the unique characteristics of human life. Unlike animals, human beings can modify sound. Voice projects our personality, and helps us communicate by way of speech. Therefore, voice needs to be well looked after by maintaining vocal hygiene. At the outset, I would like you to understand the process of voice production in human beings. Our voice is a result of sound, resonance and articulation. The Larynx has two vocal cords, which open and close when we speak. Voiced sound is the basic sound produced by these vocal folds. This is then modified by vocal tract resonators (throat, mouth cavity, nasal passage). Articulators (tongue, palate, lips) further modify it to speech sounds.
Voice is produced when vocal folds are set into vibrations by the air flow from lungs upwards to the throat. During vibrations, the top and bottom of the vocal folds keep opening and closing; such repeated cycles produce voice, which is further modified by resonators in vocal tract and they decide the distinctive quality of each person's voice.
Specifically, voice production mechanism comprises three systems:
- Air pressure system. If air flow is weak and insufficient, then voice is low and cannot be produced for longer duration;
- Vibratory system. If there is any problem with vocal cords, for example, stiff cords will produce hoarse voice, if cords cannot meet at midline, then voice will be breathy.
- Resonatory system. Any breakdown here will affect the voice quality.
Some of the common problems that can affect our voice include:
- Acute laryngitis - caused due to viral infection, which may cause swelling on cords and lead to hoarse voice.
- Chronic laryngitis - caused by acid reflux from stomach or exposure to irritating substance.
- Laryngeal reflux disease, which causes stomach juices reaching back into the throat causing hoarseness.
- Voice misuse/abuse and overuse - excessive loud and prolonged use of voice above the habitual pitch leads to vocal fatigue, hoarseness. It also poses risk of developing vocal cord lesions like polyps, nodules, cysts, which can lead to hoarse or breathy voice. Yelling, screaming may lead to rupture of small capillaries causing haemorrhage on cords.
- Physical conditions - ailments like frequent colds, asthma, paralysis, general weakness will cause shortness of breath and weak voice, effortful phonation, pitch breaks, vocal fatigue, etc.
So, how can we prevent voice disorders and maintain vocal hygiene? Voice is indispensable for actors, news-readers, voice-over artists, radio station jockeys, singers.
When it comes to actors, they need to use their voice over longer periods of time, depending on their performance schedule, and they need to use it at various pitches as their role demands. Actors also have odd working hours. The lack of proper sleep cycles, disturbed food intake, travelling, etc. are all factors that take a toll and affect the voice directly.
Some Dos and Don'ts:
- Drink enough water so that the body remains hydrated. The throat does not get dry and vocal cords get enough lubrication.
- This is the toughest for especially those in the performing arts business but avoid alcohol, smoking, caffeine, tea, aerated beverages as far as possible.
- Avoid crowded and noisy situations, in order to keep lower voice level.
- Avoid talking if you are physically tired or experience lump-in-the-throat like feeling.
- Minimise/stop throat cleaning. This habit damages the thin membrane on vocal cords, leading to hoarse voice.
- Treat upper respiratory tract infection, acidity, common cold in time.
- Visit an ENT specialist every six to eight months to examine vocal cords/throat. Report any voice change, persisting over a period of time.
- Treat any physical condition like asthma, hypo/hyper thyroidism regularly.
- Use mask over the nose and mouth while travelling to avoid inhaling dust and smoke.
- Avoid prolonged telephonic talk.
- Minimise use of decongestants, nasal drops, anti-histamines.
- Take regular steam inhalation.
- Avoid mentholated cough drops. Contrary to popular belief, cough drops over a period of time make the oral tissues dry. While not known to contain addictive substances, people still get hooked to cough drops and constant consumption may cause mouth sores/ ulcers, which affect speech eventually.
- Warm up before performing with basic voice exercises.
- Exercises such as deep breathing that involves the diaphragm and abdomen, chewing gums for about 10/15 minutes before performance, neck and shoulder exercises, free vocalisation such as humming, lip trills like bike sounds, practising tongue twisters, repeating rhyming words, practising vocal range with vowels are good for voice as well as speech.
- Plan your performance schedule. Do not overbook yourself.
- Avoid going out of your vocal range often.
- Avoid conversations with earphones in the ears and with music on.
- Avoid vocal abuse. At the same time avoid too much of whispering.
- Carry out breathing exercises regularly.
- And most importantly, give your voice rest as much as possible during the time you are not performing.
To summarise, effective voice production involves appropriate breathing techniques, right posture and maintaining good vocal hygiene.
Shraddha D'cunha is an audiologist and speech/voice therapist and runs a private clinic in Andheri East, Mumbai. She has been in this field for the last 25 years and has experience of working with teachers, lecturers, singers and individuals with various speech and voice disorders.
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