On April 16, World Voice Day is celebrated annually to recognize the importance of our voice and raise awareness of vocal health. Our voice is an important aspect of our daily lives. If changes occur in voice, they may cause a person to avoid social interactions and become frustrated from having to repeat themselves. These communication problems can have a negative impact on self-esteem or job performance. Practicing good vocal hygiene such as not smoking, drinking plenty of water, avoiding yelling or shouting, and avoiding drinking excessive amounts of dehydrating beverages (e.g., coffee, soda, caffeinated tea) can help to preserve your voice.
If you are concerned with your vocal quality or changes that you might be experiencing, it is recommended that you seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist to determine the nature and extent of the voice disorder and recommend the appropriate course of action.
The ISU Speech and Hearing Clinic provides evaluation and treatment for a wide range of voice related issues including dysphonia, vocal fatigue, muscle tension, voice disorders related to Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological issues, gender-affirming communication services, and accent modification. To schedule an appointment, contact speechhearingclinic@illinoisstate.edu or (309) 438-8641 .
