VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison

I sure do hope it's temporary. Not sure what's causing it. I have some very mild allergies and it was suggested to me a few months back that I might have a mild case of asthma. But what I definitely do have at the moment is some hoarseness that prevents me from getting to my lower register and sounding like myself instead of my evil twin, Lars.

While I've certainly Googled, I can still see, so I hope to hear (read) from fellow VO folks who've been troubled with this and what steps they've taken to relieve it.

Many thanks.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Lizden · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject:

Mike,
The thing that helps me the most with any hoarseness is Throat Coat Tea.
Not sure that it can do anything for asthma but it does help when my throat is scratchy & my voice is hoarse.
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 1:34 pm Post subject:

+1 on the Throat Coat Tea!
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ccpetersen · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject:

+2 on the Throat Coat.

however, I've also been battling bronchitis for a week and the shortness of breath that THAT brings on is tough to deal with. Luckily, it's going away, albeit slowly.

JCDunn · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject:

+3 for Throat Coat.

It even seems to help when I've been zapped by the Pacific Northwest ickies. Sick

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Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:27 am Post subject:

I'm just coming off of a week of bronchitis where I had almost total laryngitis. In this case the only thing that helped was antibiotics and about 5 days of NOT talking.
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voicy1stef · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 5:13 am Post subject:

One more vote for Throat Coat, ... or Yogi tea - Original flavour (it has licorice in it). But if it's really bad, I don't know if tea alone will do it. Cry

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Mel · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Vermont

For many years in broadcasting, when allergies or flu struck I've had success alternating a *cool* carbonated beverage (like sprite or sierra mist) with a *warm* beverage (water, honey and lemon or mint herbal tea w/honey) seems to do the trick for me. Doesn't always taste great depending on the flavors at hand - but it clears out all sorts of cobwebs that strike my voice. Make sure it's not too cold or too hot. Don't want to throw ice on a fire or vice versa.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. As it turns out, my Doc feels that the Prednisone he prescribed for a sinus infection I didn't even know I had is causing my hoarseness. Both of us are hoping it clears by next week.

This is a reminder - like the law of physics (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction) - that medications can often cause problems as they try to solve others.

One example: decongestants help us breathe better, but their drying properties (like caffeine) also tend to increase mouth clicks.

Better living through chemistry?

I think there is a difference between those who practice medicine and those who are in healthcare. Discuss.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Mike,

I've tried a lot of different things with relation to this problem and there are two things that have made a big difference. Cutting out caffeine on weekdays (thanks Dan-O for the tip) and not eating past 7 or 8 pm at night (see below).

Do a search for something called "silent reflux". If it's a temporary problem, that may not be happening for you. But for me, as soon as I made some simple diet changes to try to correct the acid issue, the chords were a lot stronger and consistent. Avoid chocolate, coffee and pop. If you can base your diet around simple basic un-processed foods, even better.

*edit - I see you've already diagnosed it. I'll leave this post up for anyone who stumbles across it.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Joe!

Except on extremely rare occasions (months will pass) where I'll have a cup o' yer basic coffee, I don't do that caffeine stuff. I don't drink soda of any kind and have never, ever had a latte.

I'm a filtered water guy.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.