Wearing PPE for long periods of time may contribute to a strained voice when talking through a mask and visor. You need your voice now more than ever, and these steps can help prevent or alleviate strain in your voice:
Six steps for voice care when using face masks
1) Drink plenty fluids
Your voice will work better and last longer if your vocal cords are lubricated. Drink roughly 2 litres (8 glasses or 4 pints) of water a day. Try steam inhalation.
2) Breath support
Instead of forcing your voice from your neck to make it louder, take a deep, slow breath before speaking and use your stomach muscles to support your voice. Think of your voice coming forward and through the mask. Open your mouth more than usual when speaking.
3) Pace yourself
Rest your voice when you can. Reduce background noise when talking if possible. Slow down and keep your sentences shorter than usual. Use pictures, written information and gestures to help get your message across to patients rather than just relying on your voice.
4) Relax
Take 3 slow breaths – on your first breath out drop your shoulders down, on the next breath out unclench and relax your jaw, on the last breath out relax the back of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth.
5) Avoid irritants
Limit your general intake of caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks and high fat, spicy or acidic food if you are running into voice problems. Cut down or ideally don’t smoke.
6) Do vocal warm-ups and stretches
Voice exercises before and after your shifts will stretch your vocal cords and help to prevent vocal injury by increasing blood flow to the larynx. Gently hum on a comfortable pitch then hum a scale or tune.
If you’d like more information, you can email: [email protected]
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
