3 Questions to Ask Clients About Their Vocal Care

Our voice represents our rich inner world of thoughts, feelings, wants and needs. It is an instrument—and every instrument needs careful maintenance for optimal function When providing voice treatment to my clients, I can’t stress enough the importance of a vocal hygiene protocol. Some recommendations are standard, such as adequate water intake and using a humidifier at home. But to give my clients the best opportunities for improvement, I like to go beyond the basics. To accomplish this, I take a holistic dive into the diet, lifestyle and environment the client encounters daily. This insight can shed light on factors that might harm their voice. Using these details, we work together to tailor a protocol personalized for their situation. To customize a vocal hygiene plan that makes sense for them, I always start by asking my clients these three questions: Do you consume any alcohol and/or drugs (prescribed/unprescribed)? It’s critical to approach this questions with compassion and openness. Many people consume alcohol, cannabis and/or other pharmaceuticals for a variety of reasons, including stress relief. If I feel their intake negatively affects their treatment—alcohol causes dehydration, for example—I recommend reducing intake or using alternative anti-stress methods. Of course, I also advise they discuss any change with their health care practitioner. Another prescription or over the counter medication to watch out for is allergy medication. Allergy medication...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Health Care Private Practice Slider Speech-Language Pathology Speech Disorders Voice Disorders Source Type: blogs