Keeping your voice healthy: Tips to prevent vocal problems.

Teachers are thought to be at higher risk for occupation-related voice disorders than the general population.

Teaching is one of the most vocally-demanding professions. It demands long periods of speaking. This is a mayor issue to take into account, especially when over 3 million teachers in the United States use their voice as a primary tool to work. Often added to that is environmental noise competing with teacher´s voice for the students’ attention, inadequate ventilation, few opportunities for resting the voice, not to mention extra voice demands such as parenting, coaching or artistic and cultural activities.

Several studies from the Journal of Voice and the JSLHR suggest that teaching is a high-risk occupation for voice disorders and that this health problem may have significant work-related and economic effects, limiting their current job performance and affecting future career options. Over 20% of teachers consulted had missed work due to their voice, and were likely to report having a voice problem (15%), having 10 specific voice symptoms.

But it´s not all bad news! There are some professional tips when it comes to voice care. The Voice and Swallowing Institute recommends warming up before teaching, just as a singer or actor warms up their voice. In addition, balance the vocal demands of teaching with vocal rest is also advised. Quiet the class environment as much as possible is also important, as speaking against background noise is quite difficult, and puts a significant added strain on the voice.

Also personal voice amplifiers can help… A LOT. These are a great solution to help teachers reaching the back of the classroom and dealing with noisy environments. Using an amplifier can be very helpful for people with voice problems, especially those who must talk loud enough to be heard by groups of people, in large rooms, or within background noise.

For this reason, personal amplification systems are an excellent choice, and are increasingly becoming a necessary tool. Using a microphone to amplify the voice may help prevent trauma to the vocal fold mucosa by reducing the need to speak loudly and forcefully. Therefore, microphones can be beneficial in both the prevention of voice disorders and as part of the treatment plan for patients with existing voice disorders (The Voice and Swallowing Institute).

As we care about the work of teachers and professors, we bring solutions in order to make their lives better and their jobs easier. That´s why we present here the Enersound PA-200, a state-of-the-art personal waistband voice amplifier with a sleek modern design. It is hands-free, worn like a belt around the waist and very comfortable. Teachers and professors no longer have to strain their precious voice thanks to the Enersound PA-200 and its powerful 10-watt amplifier.

It can be used indoors and outdoors. It is powered by a NiMH rechargeable battery and an intelligent charging circuit that extend the battery life up to 12 hrs per charge for the longest lasting performance of its kind. It features a microphone and an auxiliary input to connect to an MP3/CD player that allows playing of pre-recorded presentations.

This system is ideal for teaching, but also for guided tours, meetings, entertainment, corporate training, coaching, fitness, public speaking, kids camps, sales presentations, classrooms, meeting rooms, houses of worship, tour groups, fitness centers, kids’ camps, sales presentations, trade shows, auctions, as well as for many other applications where voice amplification is needed.

Matt Wadsworth at Whiteland High School reports that the Enersound voice amplifier has been a real voice saver for him. He has used it at summer basketball camps. He claims that in the past it has been a real challenge to talk loud enough for all campers to hear, but now they have no problems hearing when using the PA 200. And even more important, in his own words: “I also plan on using it in class on the days I'm sick and unable to project my voice”. Enersound is also proud to be at service at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, supporting their staff, who claims that they really like the fact that the PA-200 is mobile and worn around the waist, as well as that they are rechargeable. All these features make the PA-200 a versatile

FAQ's - Keeping your voice healthy:

Is teaching a high-risk occupation?

Do teaching can give you voice disorders?

Over 20% of teachers consulted had missed work due to their voice, and were likely to report having a voice problem (15%), having 10 specific voice symptoms.

What can I do to take care of my voice?

The Voice and Swallowing Institute recommends warming up before teaching, just as a singer or actor warms up their voice. In addition, balance the vocal demands of teaching with vocal rest is also advised. Quiet the class environment as much as possible is also important, as speaking against background noise is quite difficult, and puts a significant added strain on the voice.

What are the benefits of voice amplifiers?

These are a great solution to help teachers reaching the back of the classroom and dealing with noisy environments. Using an amplifier can be very helpful for people with voice problems, especially those who must talk loud enough to be heard by groups of people, in large rooms, or within background noise. Using a microphone to amplify the voice may help prevent trauma to the vocal fold mucosa by reducing the need to speak loudly and forcefully. Therefore, microphones can be beneficial in both the prevention of voice disorders and as part of the treatment plan for patients with existing voice disorders.

What’s the best voice amplifier?

We suggest you to try the Enersound PA-200, a state-of-the-art personal waistband voice amplifier with a sleek modern design. It is hands-free, worn like a belt around the waist and very comfortable. Teachers and professors no longer have to strain their precious voice thanks to the Enersound PA-200 and its powerful 10-watt amplifier.