Teachers, Influencers, and Speakers: The Professions Most at Risk for Voice Damage

While the voice is an essential tool for musicians, it is equally important for many professionals. Your ability to communicate allows you to teach, persuade, and entertain others across a plethora of industries.

According to Dr. Jeanne Hatcher, a fellowship-trained laryngologist who practices at CEENTA SouthPark and Fort Mill, “If you need to be able to talk for your job, you are a professional voice user! They aren't just singers: they are teachers, preachers, call center agents, attorneys, and many other roles.”

If your line of work requires you to speak for extended periods at varying volumes, these tips can help prevent vocal strain.

In This Article...

1. What are the signs of vocal damage?
2. Why are some professions more at risk of voice damage?
3. How can you prevent voice damage?
4. How can a CEENTA voice specialist help?

What are the signs of voice damage?

Signs that you may be experiencing vocal strain or damage include:

• Vocal fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Throat pain
• Loss of volume
• Voice changes lasting longer than two weeks

Why are some professions more at risk of voice damage?

Some occupations are more likely to experience voice damage than others due to factors like duration, volume, and location.

Teachers, for example, rely on verbal instruction for hours and often try to capture their students' attention by raising their voices.

Others, like social media influencers and public speakers, may rehearse several times or perform in areas that have subpar audio projections.

How can you prevent voice damage?

The easiest solution for preventing voice damage is simply to talk less. However, this may not be ideal for every profession. Depending on your line of work, you can try tips including:

Tips for Teachers

“Teachers can use their classroom to their advantage by walking closer to their students instead of shouting or using nonverbal cues for classroom management,” says Dr. Hatcher. “Amplification in larger classrooms or auditorium settings can also be helpful.”

In addition, they can incorporate small breaks via independent learning or classwork.

Tips for Influencers

Before a long recording session, influencers should warm up their voices with exercises such as lip trills and controlled breathing. Proper microphones and recording equipment can also prevent the need to raise your voice.

Tips for Public Speakers

Public speakers may have limited control over their venue. “Staying hydrated, warming up their voice, and testing the venue's acoustics before an event can help reduce vocal strain and keep the voice performing at its best,” says Dr. Hatcher.

How can a CEENTA voice specialist help?

No matter your job, keeping your voice healthy is critical. CEENTA’s laryngologists and voice and swallowing specialists can provide a comprehensive vocal evaluation and determine a treatment plan tailored to your specific lifestyle.

To get started, schedule your next vocal appointment with Dr. Jeanne Hatcher today by calling 704-295-3000.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.