Looking after your voice on video calls
Living through a pandemic has brought about many changes to our lives. The use of online digital technology has increased beyond belief. Whether you are working from home, keeping in touch with family and friends or home schooling, there is no denying video calling has been central to help people keep in touch.
This has certainly been the case for me and I have had a steep learning curve into what technology has to offer. I’d always been a bit reticent, leaving it to my teenage children to help and guide me! But with using teleconferencing to treat people with communication difficulties, connect with my colleagues, have online parent evenings and even attend a virtual book club…I think it’s safe to say I could now be included in the ‘Zoom boom generation’!
There are many benefits of using video conferencing and I’m sure once the pandemic is under control there are some aspects of online video conferencing that are here to stay. The way we communicate through this medium can be a challenge for our voices, for example, I sometimes find myself leaning towards the laptop or using a louder voice than is required and I should know better! Using our voices incorrectly can make us more at risk of having voice difficulties.
The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapy shared some excellent advice on twitter last year;
They are 9 simple tips to incorporate into your video conferencing day, protecting your voice from misuse.
I worked with a professor recently who was required to give 2 hour lectures online. Alongside his specific voice therapy exercises, we went through these tips and he was able to integrate them into his lectures. He particularly found the hydration and posture important, he was also able to work into his lectures small breaks whilst his students carried out an activity, this helped give him time to look after his voice.
I am immensely grateful to you for what we have been able to achieve with my voice. With your help I was able to build a rational of what was going on and what I ought to do. Thank you very much indeed.
If you feel you are having difficulties with your voice, go and see your doctor who can refer you to ENT for an assessment. We are able to offer voice therapy if required. Or if you feel you and your colleagues would benefit from some training on how to use your voice, see our vocal training packages and contact us to see what we can offer.