Practical SLP Info©
  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer

Vocal Hygiene (PDF Handout)

It is very important that you take care of your larynx to help make (and keep) your voice functioning at it’s best.
In doing so, it is important to remember the following guidelines:
  • Drink plenty of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluids (64 oz)
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Avoid alcohol
  • DON’T SMOKE or use other tobacco products
  • Avoid smoky environments such as bars
  • Avoid Shouting/Yelling
  • Do not raise your voice louder than normal conversational loudness
    o   Instead of yelling up/down the stairs, use your feet, -and a normal loudness.
    o   Don’t try to compete with noise: turn the volume down on televisions and radios before you try to talk to someone.
    o   Avoid talking on the phone in the car
    o   Try not to talk over loud freeway/outdoor noise
    o   Avoid noisy restaurants and bars
  • Give your voice a rest at the end of the day (after 5pm)
    o   Engage in activities that don’t involve talking: reading, watching tv, etc.
    o   Try to make all your phone calls before 5pm
    o   Try not to answer the phone after 5pm, “let the machine get it.”
    o   Use email/texting as much as possible after 5pm to assist with resting your voice
  • Avoid throat drops or anything with menthol/eucalyptus (these are very irritating to the larynx)
  • Use hard candies (regular or sugar free) to keep your throat lubricated if desired. (Avoid mint, sour candies)
  • Don’t whisper if your voice is bad: hoarseness can be a sign your voice needs a break! Limit talking and write instead.


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  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer