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Unless you are suffering from allergies, vocal abuse is the overuse of the speaking voice and is more common than you may think. Rooting for your favorite team, teaching for 7-8 hours a day, providing training for your firm or company, or even yelling at your kids can result in vocal abuse. However, you don’t have to be speaking in an increased volume to experience this problem. Just talking all day long in a normal volume level can produce a sore throat, hoarseness, or even loss of voice. The primary reason for vocal abuse, again aside from allergies or certain prescriptive antihistamines, is misplacement of the voice. This may sound strange since you are probably wondering how you are placing your voice in the wrong manner. Your speaking voice was meant to be powered by 5 resonators. These include your voice box, throat, mouth, nose, and, the largest of those vibrating cavities, your chest. Because most people are not using their chest cavity, the result is much more wear and tear on the other 4 resonators, specifically, the voice box and throat. If you can learn how to use your chest to power your sound, you will immediately take the strain off your vocal folds and throat and your vocal abuse will end. In addition, you will discover a richer, warmer, deeper speaking voice. You will also be able to increase your volume without shouting. The latter is known as projection and is only possible when your chest cavity is in use. Once you are placing your voice properly, you will be able to talk for much greater lengths of time without damaging your throat; however, your vocal folds are an organ…a delicate one at that. Even when done properly, you should use common sense in how much strain they can take. Aside from sports enthusiasts, teachers, coaches, and factory workers, those who also notice this kind of damage to their speaking voice are political candidates. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has definitely suffered from vocal abuse after being on the campaign trail for almost 2 years and pushing her voice on a daily basis. In her particular situation, she was yelling as well. President Bill Clinton also had voice problems when he campaigned in the ‘90’s. If you suffer from vocal abuse, learn to place your voice properly and the damage will be over. There are no pills, no tricks, and no quick fixes for vocal abuse. Allow your chest to power your sound; otherwise, your sore throat, your chronic hoarseness, or even your loss of voice, will only continue and get worse tomorrow. Watch The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels as she describes in more detail The Truth About Vocal Abuse.
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