Occupational Voice Use, Throat Lozenges, and New Years Prioritize Your Voice!

The Week of Dec 27th BLOG: 

TUESDAY TOSS UP: Occupational Voice Use 

“Consequences for increased risk of verbal communication disorder implying voice problems are expected to cost 2.5% to 3% of the gross national product (Ruben, 2000).   ... and this citation is from almost 22 years ago! Can you IMAGINE what this percentage would be at NOW, when virtually the majority of our population could be considered an occupational voice user?! 

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Occupational voice users include call center representatives, singers, actors, fitness instructors, sales representatives, teachers, public speakers, healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, tour guides, emergency responders, broadcasters, and the.list.goes.on! Particularly in these professions, there are many factors that can lead to increased vocal loading and have a negative impact on the voice. “Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, scratchy throat, and the eternal urge to clear the throat are often the result of increased vocal loading” (Wlodarz, 2010). Professionals working in occupations with high vocal load are an at-risk group for developing a voice disorder (Frechen & Latoszek, 2021). Occupational voice users are limited in their quality of life by voice disorders and can be forced to take early retirement, reduce/modify job duties, or seek out an alternative career without the same vocal “requirements” because they can no longer cope with the vocal demands (Hazlett, Duffy, & Moorhead, 2009; Nobauer, 2008). 

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Successful treatments for various voice disorders include voice therapy and phonosurgery, BUT professional and occupational voice users do depend on prompt relief as these voice problems can negatively impact successful  job performance and create stress instead of JOY when fulfilling the duties of a job/career they may be very passionate about. 

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LEARN how to PROACTIVELY CARE for your voice, prioritize VOCAL HEALTH and wellness, USE your voice EFFICIENTLY in all settings, and understand all the possible ways you can DYNAMICALLY USE your voice to make a lasting impact on others while performing your job. #getatme 

HUMP DAY HEALTH: New Research on Throat Lozenges (Thymepearls)...

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While consistently using their voices for their jobs, OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USERS experience many factors that can lead to increased VOCAL LOADING and may also negatively impact the VOICE.  "Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, scratchy throat, and the eternal urge to clear the throat are often the results of increased vocal loading" (Wlodarz, 2010).  Dry mucous membranes may occur after vocal loading and cause voice problems: drinking water is highly recommended for hydration and sucking can also moisten the mucous membranes. There have only been a few studies that have investigated a preliminary effect of using drops/lozenges for voice problems as a quick remedy.

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A new lozenge containing THYME (termed thymepearl=TP) contains sugar, glucose syrup, thyme grated (1%), thyme extract (0.3%), Icelandic moss, hop powder, and fleur de sal. In previous literature, thyme has been shown to have antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory effects (Begrow F. et al., 2010; Salehi B., et al., 2015). When taken orally, thyme has also been shown to attenuate the frequency and severity in patients with cough symptoms, show significant improvement in the treatment of xerostomia in patients with head/neck cancer, and to have an application of anti-inflammatory effects in bronchoalveolar inflammation, and to possess mucus-regulating activity (Frechen & Latoszek, 2021). Thyme has been used since ancient times & this study aimed to check to what extent the TP has an advantage over sucking in general. The purpose of this 2021 study by Frechen & Latoszek was to determine the extent to which using a throat lozenge with thymepearls/TP (as compared to sucking on a placebo lozenge) provides vocal improvement in professional voice users after vocal loading as a quick solution for acute vocal change during or after vocal loading.  A recent study has also shown that perceptual improvements in voice are noted with TP in professional voice users after vocal loading compared to a placebo (Barsties et al., 2019).

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During the current 2021 study, subjects were given two different lozenges in an eyeproof package (with both the patients and operators blinded to the assignments). Professional voice users (according to Kaufmann & Issacson’s classification) were included but participants that were actors, singers, or SLPs by profession were not included & neither were subjects with an allergy to herbs or vegetables or those who had a cold on the day of the study. In addition, subjects were excluded who experienced no vocal fatigue effects after the vocal loading task.

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Acoustic measurements were taken from the AVQI & the ABI for the objective measurement portion of the testing. Also, four identical (not validated) questionnaires were used for the subjective portions of the assessment (the questionnaires consisted of the same 8 questions related to subjective assessment of voice & related symptoms including dry mouth, sore throat, throat clearing, vocal fatigue, feeling of hoarseness, voice dropout, throat scratching, & perception of a poor sounding voice. Rating was on a 7 point scale (completely true=7; not true at all=1).

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Each participant went through the same exam protocol during their working hours: vocal fatigue questionnaire, vocal loading for twenty minutes (including various texts that were to be delivered very loudly & convincingly at around 80dB for a continuous load), vocal fatigue questionnaire and acoustic measurements, receipt of a lozenge (consuming by sucking only as chewing the candy could reduce the effect), evaluation of the lozenge, and follow-up.

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The experimental group received the TP and the control group received a placebo (with the same sugar, salt, & glucose syrup concentrations but the contents were spinach in comparable concentration to the thyme). Both lozenges were otherwise identical re: color, shape, and texture—although there was no Icelandic moss or hop powder in the placebo. Subjects were not allowed to eat or drink during the entire procedure.

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The results of this study showed no significant differences in the objective voice-related measurements, BUT the SUBJECTIVE (voice) measures showed SIGNIFICANT changes across different symptoms that may occur in the mouth and throat. In categories of the DRY MOUTH and "FEELING HOARSE", the experimental group achieved significant improvements after vocal loading compared to the control group: this means that overall, participants in the TP lozenge group felt a less dry mouth and less hoarseness AFTER performing the vocal loading tasks (compared to the placebo group). This indicates that THYME may provide prolonged retention of moisture in the mouth, thus positively influencing and enhancing the perceptual effect. Lozenges stimulate saliva production and provide moisture in a dry mouth, but this could not be confirmed in the control group with sucking (a placebo lozenge) alone. Thus, this study’s results reveal that it’s possible the active ingredient of thymol seems to have a better effect on the perception of vocal changes such as hoarseness (and dry mouth) for the study participants. 

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Of note, the dropout of potential subjects was high because only subjects with a change of vocal fatigue after vocal loading were evaluated; the number of participants must be larger to generalize the results (for a future study).  Also the investigations were conducted for/on professional voice users with no diagnosed acute voice problems; a possible follow up study could investigate the fact of TP in relation to people with dysphonia.

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INTERESTINGGGG. So grab a throat lozenge (without menthol) and maybe even one with thyme to (possibly) acutely reduce feelings of dry mouth and hoarseness.

PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR VOXFIT® FAM! 

This week, a page will turn...a NEW YEAR will begin...as 2021 becomes 2022.  What a BLESSING it is to be ALIVE another year--to HONOR the year passed and CELEBRATE ALL of our POSSIBILITIES in the new year ahead!  It is important to realize the POWER WE HAVE TO DECIDE HOW OUR LIVES WILL EVOLVE THIS YEAR, and to take full ownership over the things we CAN control-- like attitude, mindset, goals, and mission(s)...like the ways we treat others, the LIGHT of ours that we allow to SHINE, and the ways we STRIVE to make a POSITIVE difference in this world. It is so important that we realize the POWER we possess to CREATE OUR LIFE and how CRUCIAL it is that we PURSUE THIS TRUTH versus just allow our lives to "happen" to us. What GOALS do you have for becoming your BEST SELF in 2022? Can you also commit to a GOAL of PRIORITIZING YOUR VOICE?! As an occupational and/or professional voice user, this is an incredibly important decision that YOU CAN MAKE and commit to this year.

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As an occupational voice user, your voice is your INSTRUMENT and you must always remember it is your job to take care of it, strengthen it, condition it, and efficiently & dynamically USE it to accomplish your mission(s). What are your VOICE GOALS this year? How can you use YOUR unique vocal instrument to make a difference in the world this year? In the lives of your patients, your clients, your riders, your students, your colleagues, &/or your family and friends?

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It will soon be a new year and TODAY is a new DAY. GET INSPIRED to dive DEEPER into a new YOU! Try NEW things, set BIG goals, DREAM BIG DREAMS, and let NOTHING hold you back. ESPECIALLY NOT YOURSELF!!! "The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough" (Ellen Johnson Sirleaf). 

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Sending lots of voice love to you and yours this holiday season! CHEERS to YOUR best VOICE...your most authentic, healthy, efficient, reliable, and dynamic voice. Decide that NOW is the time YOU will PRIORITIZE it. What decisions can you make now, at the start of this new year, that your voice will "thank" you for when you need it to "work"? To perform? To inspire others? To teach others? To speak your TRUTH? To make an IMPACT? Aim to set specific goals that will help guide you in this journey of vocal SUCCESS. A FEW examples include:

• Prioritize your OVERALL HEALTH. NUTRITION, MOVEMENT, FITNESS, IMMUNITY, GUT HEALTH, VITAMINS, etc....
• PURSUE what brings you JOY (and find out what that means!)
• CONSISTENTLY get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
• Movement IS medicine, so get moving EVERYDAY
• Drink AT LEAST half of your body weight in ounces of water EVERYDAY
• Invest in an ultrasonic nebulizer & directly and immediately hydrate your vocal folds using 0.9% isotonic saline solution--I RECOMMEND @vocalmist
• Sleep with an ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier
• Reduce dehydrators: caffeine, alcohol, smoking, exposure to smoke, dry environments, and drying medications
• QUIT smoking and vaping NOW (COME ON!!) & avoid exposure to smoke as well
• WARM UP your voice every morning & especially before teaching, coaching, singing, performing, etc.
• Warm-down/COOL DOWN your voice after extensive, intense, dynamic, &/or prolonged  voice use
• CREATE a vocal routine (optimal vocal hygiene, stretching, exercises, naps, etc.--just like you would for your physical body...)
• Be aware of your vocal demands and vocal schedule. Aim to follow a healthy and realistic vocal schedule & know when to say NO. 
• Create and monitor your VOCAL BUDGET to maintain optimal voice. Understand that you can't do everything so PRIORITIZE what is most important to you.
• Consistently use personal amplification while teaching, instructing, singing, giving lectures, &/or public speaking.
• INVEST in voice therapy &/or vocal coaching (@voxfit_). LEARN all you can about your BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENT (YOUR VOICE!) and how to ensure it is HEALTHY, EFFICIENTLY functioning in all settings, and DYNAMICALLY used to create a LASTING IMPACT on others. 

What others can YOU come up with? How will you hold yourself accountable?

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Wishing YOU a very HAPPY, happy, healthy, and wonderful NEW YEAR ahead!!! I hope you find time to embrace GRATITUDE, to VISUALIZE your best self in 2022, to set GOALS that steer your journey of creating this vision into REALITY, to take time to pursue those things that bring you JOY...and of course, to PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE! #prioritizeyourvoice #pyv ...

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So far this week, I've been continuing to PRIORITIZE SLEEP (hehe it's been so nice to have a few days off work and those 7am patients!!), staying active as always (#theresalwaystimetoworkout), AND choosing WATER between some NYE sips of champagne !! How about YOU?!

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Just in case you forgot, EVERY Friday, our mission is to create a vocal health and wellness movement with a goal of encouraging everyone to PRIORITIZE THEIR VOICES!!! Tag @voxfit_ and use #prioritizeyourvoice to share the VOICE motivation with others! #inspireothers 

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Visualize your BEST VOICE and your BEST SELF and START the journey of showing up for what you VISUALIZE and DESERVE! It starts with YOU. CHEERS to 2022, CHEERS to PRIORITIZING YOUR VOICE this year, and CHEERS to choosing YOUR BEST VOICE. 

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