How do I sweeten my voice ???

[bigmouthmedia]

Here's an unusual one.....

I had a burst appendix a couple of weeks ago, spent a week in hospital with no food (just an IV) and my voice has come out a bit gruff ever since (partly due to the breathing tube during the op).......a few of my clients understand and want to wait until I'm 'better' - does anyone have a good solution to smooth/sweeten out my voice again ? The way it sounds now isn't as sellable

[Mike Sommer]

First and for most I'm glad you are alive. That's some scary stuff.


Next, don't push it just give it time. Don't talk or talk as little as possible. If you do talk don't whisper, full voice whispering puts more stress on your vocal cords. And don't gargle that's bad too. Drink cool or cold liquids, and easy to eat soft foods.

You're vocal cords and throat are stressed, let the swelling go down give it another 7 days. Then warm up gently start by humming, sing vocalizing "La La Laa" in you middle range, expand from there. If it hurts or sounds wrong stop.

You'll voice may poop out quickly for the next month or so, so don't push it.

You might try asking Bob Bergen, he has some lozenges he uses that he says are terrific.

[arthurburton]

I had vocal problems,all related to a nasty throat infection, that took two courses of antibiotics and about 8-10 weeks to clear up in total!.

It left my throat raw, my voice was unusable- in fact- I had no voice for a few weeks!!!

The one thing that really works well, is Natural Bees Honey, and maybe a little lemon juice (that acts as an antiseptic- but can sting a little to start with, so don't over use it) mixed in too after you start to get a tad better. It DOES WORK!

[bigmouthmedia]

Thanks guys, and Mike - you're right about the being alive bit.......it was septic, and basically if i had've been any longer getting to the hospital, i would be in Intensive Care, or at worst at the morgue - apparently in adults it can be fatal, so I'm lucky to be here.

Unfortunately I can't stop talking due to my job in a call centre for Emergency Services (but it's not where i have to yell at anyone !), and while i was on the IV the only water I could have was via gargling (i know) but not swallowing due to no fluids, and i couldn't suck on ice cubes as it made me unwell.

I've been trying to get back to normal foodwise, but do drink a lot of cold water during the day while at work/home. I don't whisper if ever, so that's good.

Arthur, I was thinking of the honey thing too - i heard the old wives tale about honey in warm water and breathing it in, but that's more for sinuses ! I have lemon juice, and have been told pineapple juice can be good too.

Any more suggestions are welcome !

[speechlady]

Glad to hear you are on the mend. If you were intubated, it's unlikely that your vocal cords have fully recovered from the experience just yet. They may be a bit swollen right now, post op. Give them rest. Your body has been through a lot and will take some time to recover, and your voice will reflect this physical state too.
Go ahead and drink whatever you like if it makes you feel better - the liquids don't touch your vocal cords though...
I would suggest avoiding sour stuff like lemons, lozenges etc unless you want more mucous production and acid reflux!
go easy on voice use for the next few days but do try resonant gentle humming. You want to facilitate healing and blood circulation to the area. You can add even more hydration by breathing in steam from a facial steamer.
Whispering gently won't hurt you. Trying to communicate by whispering loudly is less advisable.
If your voice doesnt recover its normal resonance and stability about the same time you start to feel normal energy again, go to an ENT who works with vocal performers. It is uncommon but not unheard-of, to have nerve compression from the intubation and this can result in temporary vocal cord effects - not to scare you or anything but keep an eye on it and get it looked at sooner rather than later.
Happy Healing!!!

[bigmouthmedia]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

You might try asking Bob Bergen, he has some lozenges he uses that he says are terrific.

Hey Mike....I emailed Bob, and he was very gracious to give me a heads up on some lozenges he uses, of which I've found a variation in Queensland, that arrived today after an internet order.

Admitedly, my voice has cleared up somewhat (comparing it to an earlier recording I did just after hospital), but i'm going to suck on these lovelies and hope it makes me 'golden tonsiled' :)

[Michael Murphy]

I agree with speech lady! Give yourself some time. But do follow up with the ENT Dr. if things don't start to shape up. Those Endotracheal Tubes are very rough on the Vocal Cords because of the Cuff (which is like a balloon that fills up with air) This helps to get an airtight seal so that when the Ventilator pumps air, you don't just get a stomach full of air. But it does cause damage or injury to the tissue. No way around it. Good luck, sounds like you have ssome good advice from these people.

Mike
Voice actor
Registered Nurse