VOCAL DOSE Awareness and Management

July 29, 2021

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What is VOCAL DOSE? And HOW can it be managed? And WHY is this important?

READ ON my friends.

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In semi-scientific terms, VOCAL DOSE is the magnitude of accumulated vibrations (of the vocal folds).

It can be excessive in those people who are vocal athletes, professional voice users, & occupational voice users, and VOCAL DOSE MANAGEMENT is of the highest importance. It is a GREAT way to PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE.

Vocal dose includes TIME (the length of time you are using your voice), FREQUENCY aka cycle dose (aka pitch— which is the number of cycles per second that your VFs vibrate), and INTENSITY aka distance dose (aka loudness, which impacts the amplitude of VF vibration and length of closure time).

 Vocal dose can be measured by a vocal dosimeter and there have been some awesome studies using this tool that guide people to be more aware of their vocal (dose) habits and to be slightly more in tune to their chances of vocal injury.

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BETTER question though: What is YOUR vocal dose? And how can YOU implement vocal dose management strategies into your daily life and thus, decrease your vocal injury risk by PRIORITIZING YOUR VOICE? 

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Have you ever THOUGHT about your vocal dose?

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Have you realized your vocal dose miiiiight be higher than you think it should be? Have you considered the impact of vocal dose on your vocal effort, vocal fatigue, and/or voice quality? Are you aware you DO have control over your vocal dose?

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HERE are a few tips to reduce your VOCAL DOSE and/or implement some VOCAL DOSE MANAGEMENT techniques:

-Take VOCAL NAPS (try and set a specific time each day); set cell phone alarms to help you remember 

-Ensure you speak at/within YOUR optimal pitch range

-Be aware of how loud how speak...especially when in the midst of background noise. An easy way to outsmart the Lombard Effect: Plug one ear (earplug, ear bud, swimmer’s ear putty, finger, etc.) in one ear to improve how “in tune” you are to what you actually sound like & the amount of effort &/or intensity you might incorporate into voice use)...

-Intentionally develop a personalized VOCAL SCHEDULE and hold yourself accountable

-Incorporate consistent (regular although quick) light/easy practice of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTEs)—even 1-2 minutes is beneficial!

-Consider ALL voice use as part of your overall VOCAL BUDGET: at work, with friends, at home, while on the phone, during any hobbies you have, at social events, while singing in the car, after teaching (the class is done but there may still be background noise), etc. etc.

-Understand that there are different forms of your “VOCAL CASH” & some contribute more heavily to your vocal dose than others

-Commit to using your voice as INTENTIONALLY as possible (whenever you open your mouth to speak or sing) and PRIORITIZE your own awareness of vocal dose & general VOCAL WELLNESS

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