how do you help a lost voice?

mugsy · #1 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

i have completely lost my voive - its about three days now thats its been all crazy, here and there i get a squeak, but alas mostly nothing.
i do indeed have a chest cold, but this voice buisness is pissing me off.
and i should add that i dont like lemon tea and honey.
is there anything else?

Lush · #2 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

ooh I hate losing my voice! When I was doing this production of Grease earlier this year I'd have vocal coaching and lots of singing and i'd either lose my voice or it would get really raspy if I didn't do any warm up activities.
Here are a few things that help:

gargle with warm water and salt
buy zinc lozanges and have a few a day (I think you can take up to 6 a day) those things saved my ass during performances
If you have the chance to yawn do so, yawning actually relaxes you're throat and really helps.
Oh and try not to whisper because that just strains your voice more

Good luck!

{dC!} · #3 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

Quote:

gargle with warm water and salt

Numer one BEST thing you can do!

Also :

No trying to talk.

miss.myra · #4 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

I get pretty bad laryngitis every year, it sucks.

What works best for me is not talking, period. Even whispering actually will strain your vocal chords- the more you talk, the more you strain them and then the longer it will take to get better.

MissBehavior · #5 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

If it lasts longer than a week, go to the doctor. It might be a throat infection (same symptoms), and penicillin will kill it in a week.

TheFallen · #6 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

just rest up and take it easy i might guess

CodaDrummer · #7 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

Warm liquids is the only thing that has ever helped me. And don't try to whisper, it only makes things worse. Whispering causes just as much wear and tear on your voice talking does.

mugsy · #8 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

i would love not to talk, but its provincail week for all my kids.
and when theres a game of water-polo in front of me no voice or voice, im gonna try to yell.
plus its swimming on the weekends, and those get exciting. we had regionals last weekend and i was standing on the chairs cheering on this 6 year old who went from 4th place to get gold. i jumped off the chair and was screaming and cheering for him.
salt water, ive been doing and was wondering if it was working.... thank you.
and ive tried those zinc things, and i didnt like the flavour... im kinda picky and it sucks.

M!SKA · #9 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

So back a few years ago, I lost my voice due to too much yelling. Instead of letting it heal, I kept going out into loud environments where I would strain my voice even more. Now it is permanently fucked, and I lose my voice about once a month.
I went to a family dinner a little while ago, and my relatives were commenting on how I sound so different. I can't sing anymore.. can't hit the notes. It really sucks.

Long story short, take care of your vocal chords. You only have one set. Sure you may be picky about methods of therapy, and you may be in situations where you will want to express yourself vocally. But if you don't control your urges to scream, you may find soon that you will not be able to scream period. :(

mugsy · #10 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

thats kinda scarey, but a very very good warning. maybe ill make pictures to hold up instead. now im kinda scared.... ive been straining it for the past 4 days... actually the whole summer....

trance4life · #11 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

halls

bebu*funfun · #12 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

the salt and warm water works.. make sure its GROSS salty.. like wayyy too salty salty. also drink lots of water, drink peppermint tea/other teas and stay away from the sugar and junk. dont strain your voice.

flipmat · #13 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

Quote:

Originally Posted by M!SKA

So back a few years ago, I lost my voice due to too much yelling. Instead of letting it heal, I kept going out into loud environments where I would strain my voice even more. Now it is permanently fucked, and I lose my voice about once a month.
I went to a family dinner a little while ago, and my relatives were commenting on how I sound so different. I can't sing anymore.. can't hit the notes. It really sucks.

Long story short, take care of your vocal chords. You only have one set. Sure you may be picky about methods of therapy, and you may be in situations where you will want to express yourself vocally. But if you don't control your urges to scream, you may find soon that you will not be able to scream period. :(

she's right :)

ulala · #14 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

I heard honey helps ?

CodaDrummer · #15 (**permalink**) Aug 18, 04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugsy

i would love not to talk, but its provincail week for all my kids.
and when theres a game of water-polo in front of me no voice or voice, im gonna try to yell.
plus its swimming on the weekends, and those get exciting. we had regionals last weekend and i was standing on the chairs cheering on this 6 year old who went from 4th place to get gold. i jumped off the chair and was screaming and cheering for him.
salt water, ive been doing and was wondering if it was working.... thank you.
and ive tried those zinc things, and i didnt like the flavour... im kinda picky and it sucks.

AHH! Swimming in a pool while you have a cold? Just hearing that makes me feel sick, that's got to be really bad for you woudln't you think? Whenever I have a cold, I like to sit in the hotub, which probably isn't that much better for yah, but at least it's hot.

You're gonna wreck your voice, yo.