How to Avoid Abusing Your Voice – Part One

In my last post I promised some specific pointers that will go along way to protecting you from abusing or misusing your voice. In the next few posts I will be laying out some invaluable guidelines that will help you avoid some of the things I see damaging voices week in week out.

So many people make the mistakes I’m about to describe without even realizing it. The good news is that most of these people, once they’ve become aware of the ways in which they’re unwittingly abusing their voices, are able to take steps to correct bad habits and tendencies, and to learn how to handle their voices properly as they find themselves in different circumstances.

Without further ado here is the first of two blog posts that will cover the most common ways in which people abuse their voices, as well as measures you can take to ensure that you are protecting your own voice.

Do not clear your throat or cough habitually. Instead:

• sniff and swallow
• yawn to relax your throat
• swallow slowly; drink some water
• hum, concentrating on sensations of vocal resonance.

Do not yell, cheer, or scream habitually. Instead:

• use non-vocal sounds to attract attention: clap, whistle, ring a bell, blow a horn
• find non-vocal ways to train or discipline children and pets.

Avoid prolonged talking over long distances and outside. Instead:

• move closer so you can be heard without yelling
• learn good vocal projection techniques.

Avoid talking in noisy situations: over loud music, office equipment, noisy classrooms, or public places, and in cars, buses, and airplanes. Instead:

• reduce background noise in your daily environment
• always face the people you are talking to
• position yourself close to your listener
• wait until students or audience members are quiet and attentive
• find non-vocal ways to elicit attention.

In the next post I will be exploring four more ways in which people abuse their voices, and ways in which you can avoid them.

Summary:
To avoid voice abusing your voice
– Do not clear your throat or cough habitually
– Do not yell, cheer, or scream habitually
– Avoid prolonged talking over long distances and outside
– Avoid talking in noisy situations: over loud music, office equipment, noisy classrooms, or public places, and in cars, buses, and airplanes.

Continued in Part Two.