Do you have a presentation coming up, but your voice is hoarse? Don't worry – you're not alone. Many people experience voice problems at some point.
I've also struggled with hoarseness a few times in my life.
As a singer, presenter, and speaker, I have to take extra care of my voice.
In this blog post, I'll discuss the causes of hoarseness and my best, tried-and-tested treatment options. Read on to learn more!
Hoarseness can be caused by vocal strain or a cold.
We can usually tolerate 2-3 hours of continuous speaking.
However, many professions that require extensive speaking demand significantly more from our voices.
A feeling of having something stuck in the throat, frequent throat clearing, coughing, pain when swallowing, and even cigarette and alcohol consumption often lead to vocal strain.
A cold can also cause a scratchy, rough voice.
Hoarseness as a consequence is produced by irregular vibrations of the vocal cords.
If you have a hoarse voice and you need to give a presentation or talk, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the discomfort. Here are my 7 favorite and most effective remedies:
If your voice is hoarse and you have a presentation to give, you should definitely rest it. Speak as little as possible. If your voice is about to give out, it's best not to speak at all. You should also avoid whispering, as this puts extra strain on your voice because it requires a high level of tension in your vocal cords.
Simply give your vocal cords a break. I know it's difficult, but it's the best thing you can do when you're hoarse.
Besides resting your voice, it's also important to keep your mucous membranes moist. Moist mucous membranes provide optimal protection against viruses and bacteria. Therefore:
When you have a sore throat and hoarseness, it's important to drink plenty of fluids. Soothing herbal teas made from sage, mallow, coltsfoot, thyme, fennel, anise, marshmallow, or ribwort plantain leaves are especially beneficial.
However, avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these substances can dehydrate you and worsen your hoarseness.
in your room to maintain a comfortable humidity level, especially in the bedroom. The humidity should be around 50-60 percent.
Inhale steam to loosen mucus that could irritate your vocal cords. This also allows you to effectively reach the larynx. Additives made from medicinal herbs such as sage and thyme are particularly suitable for this purpose.
Saunas dry out your mucous membranes. A bio sauna with at least 60% humidity or a steam room is better. The high humidity is particularly beneficial for the mucous membranes.
Make an oil compress! A wonderful first-aid measure for sore throats that I use time and again is applying an oil compress overnight. This is a top tip from my ENT doctor. You take a roll of kitchen paper, fold it twice, and put a few drops of cooking oil on it (do not heat it!). Place it oily-side down on your throat, cover it with a small piece of plastic wrap (freezer bag, kitchen foil, etc.), secure it around your throat with a cloth, and there you have it – an "oil compress."
When sucking on lozenges, especially when you have a cold, you should definitely choose mild products without menthol, mint, or lemon, such as Isla Moss Pastilles, Emser Salt, sage lozenges, or GeloRevoice! We singers swear by the latter in particular. It stimulates saliva production and regenerates the vocal cords and mucous membranes.
Finally, a tip: These seven measures aren't just helpful when your voice is already hoarse. They're also ideal for prevention. Resting your voice after a demanding vocal performance, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking vitamin C and vocal warm-up exercises work wonders.
Do short warm-up exercises in the morning and especially before speaking engagements. A few minutes a day are enough to sustainably improve vocal health and tone and ensure a good vocal performance for the day. Learn more in my guide, "Powerful Voice in Just 5 Minutes."
About Danja Bauer: Mag.
With 27 years of experience as a singer, presenter, and speaker on national and international stages, Danja Bauer is an expert in effective and captivating presentations. A multi-award-winning speaker, including at the 2020 Toastmasters International Public Speaking Competition, Danja Bauer helps executives and entrepreneurs become enthusiastic public speakers. She shares her extensive knowledge through coaching, workshops, and keynote speeches.
Contact Danja Bauer at:
info@danjabauer.com
