Tips For Occupational Voice Users
A professional voice user, also called an occupational voice user, is anyone whose voice is instrumental to their job. Singers, actors, actresses and broadcast personalities quickly come to mind, but voice is important to many more professions than you might immediately realize. Professional voice users also include teachers, clergy, sales associates, lawyers, telemarketers, receptionists and so many more. It’s difficult to imagine an effective classroom, pulpit or courtroom without voice.
Why Your Voice is So Important to Your Job
You probably often take your voice for granted. Even many occupational voice users neglect to pay much attention to their voice until they develop a significant problem that affects their ability to do their job.
Teachers, for example, have very vocally demanding jobs. A study conducted by the University of Utah found that 11% of teachers reported a voice problem compared to only 6.2% of non-teachers. The same study found that 57.7% of teachers reported ever having had a voice disorder compared to 28.8% of non-teachers.
Research from the University of Iowa found that 20% of teachers had missed work due to problems with their voice while only 4% of non-teachers had missed a day because of a voice related ailment. These teachers were also more likely to report that they felt their voice affected their job performance. This research suggests that vocally demanding jobs can incur both health and professional consequences. Researchers continue to explore strategies to improve vocal health for individuals with vocally demanding professions.
How to Avoid the Negative Effects of a Vocally Demanding Job
As with many ailments, awareness is key. If you have a vocally demanding profession, pay extra attention to your voice.
Understand that vocally demanding jobs put you at greater risk for developing vocal difficulties. Also, remember that there are steps you can take to help prevent voice problems.
Fortunately, evaluation and treatment from a medical specialist can take care of most voice-related problems. Being proactive about your voice health sets you up to succeed at even the most vocally demanding occupation. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of a voice disorder, seek out an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Call us today at 404.257.1589 (Atlanta) or 770.777.1100 (Alpharetta), or book an appointment with us online now to discuss your voice concerns.
