How to Keep a Healthy Voice

by Kaitlynn Daniels, Dr. Rachel Day, DMA, Associate Professor of Music

As professionals who sing and talk all day, maintaining good vocal health is important for longevity of the voice. However, many individuals may not know simple ways to take care of their voice. 

What is voice?
Three primary systems are involved in voice production: the respiratory system, the phonatory system, and the resonator system. The respiratory system, commonly referred to as “breath support,” includes the lungs, ribcage, chest muscles, diaphragm, and windpipe, and provides the airflow necessary for sound production. The phonatory system, also known as the larynx or “voice box,” includes the larynx and vocal folds (or “vocal cords”), where sound is generated through the vibration of the vocal folds as air passes through them. The resonator system, commonly called the “vocal tract,” includes the throat, nasal passages, and mouth, which shape, amplify, and modify vocal sound to create the unique quality and tone of an individual’s voice. The sinuses, while part of the system of vibrational feedback, do not primarily impact the sound quality expressed–it is part of the perceptual feedback that helps us to adjust our sound to desired qualities. These systems work together in coordination to support healthy and effective vocal production. 

Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is key to keeping their voice healthy and maintained, especially as a professional who sings and talks all day. How much fluid you use daily varies, but the general recommendation is to drink enough to not generally feel thirsty or enough that your urine is colorless or pale yellow. If you do drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, balance it out with water. Another great way to preserve your voice is to take vocal rests throughout the day, which can prevent overuse. Lastly, using a regularly cleaned humidifier at home, especially in the dryer seasons, can help keep your voice healthy with 30% humidity recommended. 

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet 
While keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet is important for everyone, it can also help maintain your voice. The NIDCD recommends you do these things: 

• Don't smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke.
  
• Avoid eating spicy foods and drinking alcohol.
  
• Include plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet.
  
• Wash your hands often to prevent getting a cold or the flu.
  
• Get enough rest. Physical fatigue has a negative effect on voice.
  
• Exercise regularly. 
  
• Avoid mouthwash or gargles that contain alcohol or irritating chemicals
  

Use your voice wisely 
Warm up and cool down your voice prior to and after times of heavy voice use. Use straw phonation as a highly researched semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (SOVTE) which helps to balance air pressure and vocal fold pressure in phonation. 

Avoid habits such as overusing your voice, singing at the extremes of your range for long periods of time, and talking loudly in noisy areas may cause hoarseness or strain in your voice. The Lombard effect commonly adds to voice strain–it is the vocal phenomenon where our vocal effort increases in a noisy environment, including dining out at restaurants.

It is also a great habit to practice healthy breathing techniques, including prioritizing breathing through your nose whenever possible. “Supporting” your voice through easy breath flow rather than pressing through your throat reduces vocal strain. 

When to see a doctor
Any occurrence of illness which impedes voice use for two weeks or longer is time to see a medical professional–often an ENT (Ear/Nose/Throat doctor) . It is a good idea to request a video-stroboscopy (a strobe light video examination of the function of the vocal folds), which is commonly performed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Not all ENTs and SLPs are voice specialists–find one who prioritizes vocal function in their practice.

A voice issue (sometimes known as dysphonia) can sometimes feel personally threatening. Plan ahead and set up a care team, if you know, “I always lose my voice in January,” or have other regularly occurring illnesses which affect your speaking voice. You are a professional voice user and deserve to have it function to the best of your ability at all times. 

References:
Bottalico, P., & Murgia, S. (2023). The Effect of the Frequency and Energetic Content of Broadband Noise on the Lombard Effect and Speech Intelligibility. Acoustics, 5(4), 898-908. https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics5040052, accessed 28 May 2026. 
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, July 24) Nose Breathing vs. Mouth Breathing: Which is Better? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breathe-mouth-nose, accessed 28 May 2026.  
Jahn, Anthony F, and Youngnan Jenny Cho, 'The Vocal Apparatus', Keep Your Singing Voice Healthy! The Doctor's Guide to Vocal Vitality and Longevity (New York, NY, 2024; online edn, Oxford Academic, 2 Sept. 2024), https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197629703.003.0001, accessed 28 May 2026. 
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2026, January 21). Water: How much should you drink every day? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256, accessed 28 May 2026. 
Ragan, K. (2018). The Efficacy of Vocal Cool-down Exercises. Journal of Singing, 74(5), 521-526. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/efficacy-vocal-cool-down-exercises/docview/2039854103/se-2, accessed 28 May 2026. 
Ravi,S., Lopez, V., Carter, K.V., Sharpe, S., George, D., Ebersole, B., Machiorlatti, M., and Jamal, N. (2025) Intersection of Mental Health and Dysphonia: A Scoping Review. Journal of Voice, Volume 39, Issue 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.04.007.
Risueno P. (2023). Larynx and breathing: The connection between the vocal mechanism and respiration. Int J Respir Med.; 8(3):151. https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/larynx-and-breathing-the-connection-between-the-vocal-mechanism-and-respiration.pdf, accessed 28 May 2026. 
Tapson, Melanie. (2026). Straw Phonation. Melanie Tapson Voice Care. https://www.melanietapsonvoicecare.com/straws, accessed 28 May 2026. 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025, June 11). Taking care of your voice. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-voice 
VoiceScienceWorks. (n.d.) Straw Phonation. http://www.voicescienceworks.org/straw-phonation.html, accessed 28 May 2026.