Does Your Voice Need a Break?

Voice over acting may be one of the best careers out there (I may be a little biased here), but it’s still a job like any other, and sometimes you need a vacation.  More specifically, there are times when your voice needs a vacation.  Use the information below to help you determine if some time off for your vocal chords is in order.

Identifying a Problem

The first thing to do is evaluate yourself for symptoms to determine if there is a problem.  Some of the most common symptoms when your voice is tired or overworked include a raspy or hoarse-sounding voice, a sore throat, the urge to clear your throat or cough frequently, difficulty speaking, or a sudden change in how deep your voice sounds.

Possible Causes

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it could be due to a number of possible factors.  One of the most common is an upper respiratory infection or allergies that can result in postnasal drip.  This drip can cause irritation in the throat that can negatively impact your voice. Other possible causes include acid reflux, asthma or vocal nodules.  Misusing or overusing your voice can also result in the symptoms above. (I have a deviated septum which causes mucus.) This is all too often the case with voice over actors, especially those who use the high and low extremes of their vocal range or who regularly switch to “character” voices.

Solutions

If your voice issue isn’t the result of a medical or health condition, there are a few steps you can take to help remedy the situation.  One is to rest your voice.  Take that vocal vacation I mentioned above and give your vocal chords some R & R so they can recover.  Other things that can help soothe your throat and return your sound back to normal include drinking plenty of water; avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes; maintaining a healthy diet; and using a humidifier.  Take vocal breaks when you can, and speak at a normal volume.  Also, use proper breathing techniques to keep from straining your voice unnecessarily.

I avoid excessive telephone or other conversations during the day. Everyone understands that I need to "save" my voice for my work. So I keep conversations short. And as much as I would like to "scream" sometimes....  well, I just don't!