Resumo de Listening To Your Voice

LISTENING TO YOUR VOICEThe noisy world most of us inhabit can causepremature hearing loss: Presbycussis (as it is called) is on theincrease in the generations born in the 1940s and later. But it is notjust our ears that take a hammering. Our vocal cords do, too, as weraise our voices in meetings and parties, in noisy restaurants, andabove city sirens, blasting stereos, and loud TVs. People spend moretime than ever on phones, often cell phones. The strains are even worsefor singers, lawyers, teachers, and those who work in noisy places.Whatmakes you go off key?Our vocal cords age along with the rest of thebody. These twin bands of connective tissue are located in the voicebox, or larynx, just above the windpipe. In the delicate system thatallows human speech, the vocal cords remain open above the airway whenyou are silent. When you speak, the cords move together and vibrate,creating sound in a wider range.Many things can adversely affect thevocal cords, including smoking, second hand smoke, and other airpollution. A cold, laryngitis, very dry conditions, dehydration,excessive alcohol intake, severe emotional stress, poor vocaltechniques that strain your voice, and simple fatigue from overuse canall take their toll. Certain drugs (such as oral contraceptives,antihistamines, steroids, and some antidepressants) can contribute tohoarseness. So can reflux of stomach acids, particularly while yousleep (called reflux laryngitis, not always identical withgastroesophageal reflux or heartburn), a swell as various benigngrowths or malignant tumors (a rarer possibility) ?Roughing? itoutHoarseness is the most common symptoms of any vocal disorder. Vocaltremors may also occur may also occur ? these often come fatigue ormisuse of the voice, but can also be caused by underlying conditionssuch as an ?essential tremors? (unexplained shaking), more common inolder people. Or you may have dysphonia - a cracked or squeaky voiceand general loss of voice quality. This may progress to intermittentloss of voice. Occasionally people ?lose their voices without warning.A rare condition called vocal paralysis is sometimes to blame.If yougrow hoarse or lose your voice temporarily, you may have some idea whatthe problem is. Maybe your voice just needs a rest. But if you loseyour voice for more than two days or have a lump in your throat ordifficulty in swallowing, or if hoarseness persists for two weeks, youmay need to have your voice box checked with laryngoscope or undergoacoustic analysis.Don?t forget to mention any medications you may betaking, any stress you may be under, what your typical day is like,what kind of work you do, and any symptoms you think might be relevant,such as waking up with a sour taste in your mouth. There?s been a lotof progress in recent years in diagnosing and treating vocal disorders.Treatments vary from voice retraining to injections to surgery. Onecommon diagnosis is ?non-organic dysphonia?, meaning that nothingapparent is wrong. In this case, you may be referred to a voicetherapist who can train you in vocal techniques that will reduce strainin your voice, as well as vocal rehabilitation exercises. Go only tolicensed, certified voice specialist. For some conditions, especiallytumors of any kind, surgery surgery may be the best or even the onlyoption. Other chronic problems may be improved by injections to ?plumpup? aging vocal cords, or by repositioning vocal cords with surgicalimplants.Be kind to your vocal cords* Don?t smoke; quit if you dosmoke. Don?t spend time around smokers, charcoal grills, and othersources of smoke. * Avoid indoor air polluted with fragrances, harshcleaners, and the like.* Get enough sleep* Drink plenty of water tokeep your voice hydrated. Cut back or eliminate alcoholic beverages ifyou have voice problems.* Avoid continual clearing of your throat,shouting, cheering too loudly for the home team or competing with loudnoise.* Whispering is hard on vocal cords and not a good way to restyour voice.* If youlecture or sing, or your job demands lots oftalking, and you often find yourself with a strained voice, considerconsulting a voice coach or therapist.

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