VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

Here is outstanding information on vocal health from the Texas Voice Center, established in 1989 for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of voice disorders.

We've seen many of these tips before, but I have to say that a couple of these really stood out; they are very enlightening and worth reading (and bookmarking or saving). I'll summarize one very important topic (throat clearing) below because it's something probably all of us do without realizing the danger. WARNING: there's a bit of "ick" in what follows.

Along with the chronic dehydration I'd been experiencing for more than 20 years – without knowing what it was and having instead been misdiagnosed as having allergies – was postnasal drip. This is quite possibly the chief cause of the need to clear our throats.

What I initially learned in preparation to correct my dehydration is fully supported by this "new" information. Our sinuses constantly produce mucus (the body's lubricant and protectant) and, normally, it drips down into the throat and is swallowed without ever being noticed. But when mucus thickens (due to dehydration caused by either simply not drinking enough water or by medications such as decongestants), it tends to collect in the throat and is not swallowed as easily. The thin film of mucus that normally coats the vocal cords also becomes thicker, to the extent it becomes noticeable and bothersome. And here's where apparently most folks (myself included) make a big mistake.

Clearing the throat by making that typical "grinding" sound can damage the vocal cords. Doing so removes more mucus than just that which has become bothersome, so the vocal cords call for more of it to re-coat. The more that type of throat clearing is done, the cycle lengthens. We find it necessary to do it even more.

The proper way to clear the throat, I learned, is to forcibly exhale, forming the back of the throat as if we were going to shout "Hah!," but to do it WITHOUT making a sound. All you want to hear is your breath. This method may not clear the throat as quickly; it may require several attempts, but it is the safest way. A bit of gargling with salt water will probably speed the process.

What I've learned since realizing my dehydration in November 2013 has been truly eye-opening. Being properly hydrated (and I still may not be back to a normal level yet) has cleared all of the aggravating symptoms diagnosed as allergies and more. I cannot stress the importance of drinking enough water. And nothing can replace water in the role it plays. The daily amount of water recommended by the article linked above is very general. And, as we get older, we become dehydrated more easily. To arrive at the proper daily amount of water for you, divide your body weight in half and drink that many ounces of water daily. Especially if you are severely dehydrated, you must also bear in mind, along with water, that salt and potassium levels are also important to maintain the proper electrolyte balance, necessary for normal cell function.

I could not recommend more highly "Your Body's Many Cries For Water – You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty (Don't Treat Thirst With Medication)" by Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Bruce]

My best/safest way to remove crud from my vocal cords is to sing... maybe something in a Broadway show tune. "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" is a good one, and if my Emma hears it she thinks I'm signing it for her and I score double the points!

And I get extra points if I can make it sound like Hugh Jackman.





B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[heyguido]

Yup. Nothing will clear the throat better. Now, where's that dang +1 button?
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

[DeadDillo]

[Mike Harrison]

In my dire quest to return to normal hydration, I'm drinking at least around 12 cups a day. This Rubbermaid quart bottle allows me to down 16 ounces in about 10 big gulps. Easy. I do that about every hour or so... but again, I'm not typical.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Ed Fisher]

This post comes at an opportune time since I'm just now recovering from doing a Character voice remotely for a company in LA where, only afterwards, I realized that I had made my throut actually sore. Took me two days to recover. (not smart)

As for the water. I've heard the same thing. Half your body weight in ounces. (of course, some of these same people believe you can cure cancer with the "water cure" - but that's a different matter.) Even so....I strive to do just THAT. Not always successfully...but MOST of the time.

But...and this is very important...DON'T THINK IN CUPS. That will only make you crazy. THINK IN BOTTLES. And...I suggest you try to slug down at least one...and preferably TWO, first thing when you get up in the morning. (That's supposed to be a good thing) But...it also gives you a "head start" which makes reaching you "liquid goal" for the day a lot easier.

I could go on....but right now I have to go pee. (again)
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"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

[Mike Harrison]

[sdaeley17]

This reminded me of an article I read the other day after seeing an episode of EWABS featuring an otolaryngologist (ENT)

http://voicehealth101.com/voice-myths

Sports bottles like Nalgene or the kind you can get from supplement stores that you see gym buffs using for protein shakes are great for meeting your quota. 2 of those and I'm already 2/3s to the generic 64 ounces a day. Another 4 and I meet my own personal VO quota.
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"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

[RJ McNicol]

Try smoothies with Plantain, and I'm not talking the bananas it's that so called weed on your lawn. It's got more nutrients than any other vegetable. Clears the throat, so does burdock but that's another so called weed. Another great herb/weed is heal all, look it up. I had bad flem and took this in a tea and no problem since. Go figure eh. You'd be surprised at what we call weeds, those plants that don't fit into any category but actually heals you. Happy voicing.

[Dayo]

We could definitely use a "like" button the forum. Lots of good tips on this thread.

Singing is a great way to clear the pipes and wonderful for overall firming and strengthening the voice. My Emma sings her way through the day. Even the daily chores get their own melody! "I'm going to go downstairs and brew a pot of tea-eeeeee, and make believe one day you'll make one too..."

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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk

[heyguido]

[Bruce]

I keep finding that one way to make your voice more rich and robust consistently is to use it... a lot. I just completed 21 hours of a world history text book, and I have to use my theater voice on the 2.5 hour walking tours here to be heard over the traffic. I sound better than usual to my egotistical ears.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[DeadDillo]

As an experiment, I tried drinking the suggested amount. I dont know if it improved my voice at all, but I certainly felt hydrated.

I stopped drinking around 4pm and went to bed around 9pm. Ended up having to wake up to go to the bathroom three times (compared to my usual never).

I have a little 27 ounce bottle of water with me in the studio and I try to drink at least three of those a day, but some days it takes effort to consume the necessary amount.
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www.MarleyAudio.com

[Mike Harrison]