A beautiful singing voice is something not everyone has. Whether you perform professionally or just like to carry a tune at home, take steps to preserve it. In addition to listening to the advice of a throat doctor, the guide below offers general tips for looking after your instrument.

Do:

Warm up.

A person’s voice is similar to their muscles. Before any strenuous activity, take the time to stretch it out or risk injury. Start simple and relax your vocal cords with simple tongue twisters. Then move to light scales and work your way up to higher, more difficult notes. Practice this whenever you plan to sing or will be speaking extensively.

See a professional.

To keep your vocal cords healthy, see a throat doctor regularly for an annual checkup or if you experience frequent raspiness or loss of tone. They’ll take a close look for any signs of damage and identify risk factors to help preserve your voice.

Don’t:

Practice bad habits.

There are a number of ways to cause trauma to your voice. These include yelling or shouting, speaking loudly, talking for extended periods over the phone, and whispering. Therefore, if you have a cough or upper respiratory infection, avoid wearing your throat out unnecessarily.

Be parched.

Your vocal cords need to stay hydrated. However, certain drinks can have the opposite effect of drying them out—including soda, coffee, and alcohol. Some medications can cause dry throat, so pay attention to side effects of those you’re taking and speak to the prescribing doctor, as well as your throat doctor, if you have concerns.

Since 1991, Ear Nose & Throat Specialties PC has proudly served the Lincoln, NE, area. Whether you’re a singer looking for a throat doctor or need general hearing or allergy testing, their diverse team of specialists can fulfill your needs. Call (402) 488-5600 to schedule an exam or visit their website to explore the practice and its services further.