Caring for Your Voice & Hearing: What You Can Do Ahead of Time

Most people don’t think of their voice or hearing as something that needs care, especially those professionals who rely on their voices and hearing as a duty — it’s just there, until it isn’t. Hoarseness that won’t go away, fatigue after short conversations, a loss of range, or a voice that feels unreliable at the end of the day often come as a surprise. In reality, vocal or hearing problems rarely appear overnight. They build slowly, shaped by habits, workload, age, and environment.

For singers, musicians, audio engineers, teachers, podcasters, call center workers, journalists, actors, and anyone whose job depends on their voice and hearing, prevention matters as much as talent or training.

The good news is that many voice issues can be delayed, softened, or avoided entirely with early attention and informed care.

For this article, we partnered with the Brain Charity, the UK’s only charity supporting over 600 neurological conditions, including those that lead to voice loss, and talked to a few vocal coaches, audiologists, and therapists to provide you with the most effective and useful advice. 

How the Voice & Hearing Actually Work

The voice is produced when air from the lungs passes through the vocal folds—two small bands of muscle and tissue inside the larynx. When they come together and vibrate, sound is created. Pitch, volume, and tone depend on how efficiently those folds move, how well they are supported by breath, and how relaxed the surrounding muscles remain.

Hearing is the other half of this system, even though it’s often treated as separate. Sound waves travel through the ear canal, vibrate the eardrum, and are transferred through tiny bones in the middle ear to the cochlea, where they are converted into nerve signals. These signals tell the brain not only what we hear, but also how loud, balanced, and clear our own voice is.

Voice and hearing are closely linked. We adjust our volume, pitch, and articulation based on auditory feedback, often without noticing it. When hearing is compromised (by fatigue, noise exposure, or gradual loss) the voice often compensates by pushing harder. This extra effort can increase strain on the vocal folds, especially in noisy environments or during long speaking sessions.

Both systems are resilient, but not indestructible. Vocal folds are delicate and respond to strain, dryness, swelling, and misuse in ways that may not be immediately obvious. Hearing, too, can be worn down over time by constant exposure to loud sound. Small changes in either system tend to accumulate, particularly when the voice is used intensively day after day and recovery is limited.

Common Vocal, Hearing Problems & Where They Come From

Some issues are closely tied to age. Over time, vocal fold muscles can lose strength and elasticity, leading to a thinner, weaker, or breathier sound. This process (often called presbyphonia) is not a disease, but it can make the voice feel less reliable. Reduced lung capacity, hormonal changes, and general muscle loss all play a role.

Preparation helps: consistent vocal use, proper breathing, hydration, and light strength-building exercises for the voice can slow these changes. Long periods of silence, followed by sudden heavy voice use, tend to make things worse rather than better.

Other problems are more typical among professional voice users. Vocal strain, chronic hoarseness, nodules, and inflammation often result from overuse combined with poor technique. Singers pushing through fatigue, teachers projecting without amplification, or speakers talking for hours without breaks all place repeated stress on the vocal folds. Over time, the tissue adapts in unhelpful ways.

Linor Oren, an opera singer, vocal coach and choir director at SingWell, shares her own experience: "At the age of 43 now, I get hoarse more easily. Sickness has a bigger effect on my voice. I have since prioritized bodywork and straw exercises even more. When I'm under the weather or when my voice needs recovery, the key is smaller increments."

"I don’t expect my voice to be the same every session, and that’s okay. When I was younger, I wanted everything to be vocally perfect. Now, I realize that connection is what matters ultimately."

What makes professional voice issues tricky is that they often begin quietly. The voice still "works," but it requires more effort. By the time pain or loss of control appears, damage may already be present.

It's not just voice that can be hurt; hearing may be affected too. As per Katie Koebel, M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO, audiologist and Senior Manager of Audiology at HearingLife Canada, "Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is what we see most in musicians. This type of hearing loss typically affects high frequencies first and is caused by long-term exposure to loud music, monitors, and headphones. Hidden hearing loss is also common among audio professionals. Hearing tests will often appear normal, but individuals struggle with hearing clarity in noisy environments."

Another most common issue is tinnitus, which can be chronic or temporary. Katie notes that temporary ringing typically fades within a few hours of noise exposure and isn’t a regular occurrence. If you’re suffering from early chronic tinnitus, the ringing will persist, return frequently, and likely worsen over time, even in quiet environments. It’s critical that this is evaluated. 

"This is why it’s important to start monitoring your hearing as early as possible. By doing this, you are establishing a baseline audiogram to compare to over time. If you have already experienced ringing, muffled hearing, or difficulty understanding speech after sessions or performances, it’s important that you are tested immediately," Katie says.

There are also several neurological conditions which may result in voice loss for different reasons.

With some neurological conditions, communication between the brain and the vocal cords can be disrupted. This could be because the area of the brain that controls the vocal cords is damaged, which can be caused by conditions such as stroke or brain injury. In other conditions, such as Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), it may be due to nerve damage that prevents signals from the brain being delivered to the vocal cords.

Some conditions like Parkinson’s Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can lead to a hoarse voice, speech difficulties or voice loss due to the laryngeal muscles becoming weaker.

If you are communicating with someone experiencing voice loss, it is important to be patient and try not to guess what they want to communicate, work with them to identify alternative methods such as gestures, drawing or writing, and where possible reduce distractions to help with focus.

Risk Factors That Add Up 

Voice problems are rarely caused by a single factor. More often, they result from a combination of stresses. Overuse is the most obvious one. Long rehearsals, extended speaking, or back-to-back recording sessions leave little time for recovery. 

According to Patricia Caicedo, M.D., Ph.D., physician, musicologist, and expert at the intersection of music and health, "one of the most frequent mistakes professionals make is overusing the voice without adequate rest. The voice is not designed for constant output without recovery. Another major issue is speaking loudly in noisy environments. When background noise increases, people instinctively raise their voice, often without proper support. This habit causes significant vocal strain and long-term damage."

Patricia is sure that ignoring early warning signs, such as fatigue, hoarseness, loss of range, and continuing to push the voice is another common problem.

"Rest is not optional; it is part of vocal technique," Patricia says. "Alcohol and smoking also have a direct negative impact on the vocal folds and should be avoided by anyone who relies on their voice."

Linor agrees and says that "overdoing it" might be the reason for the most vocal issues: “Even the best singers, in terms of technique, may require surgery at some point. Think Celine Dion: it’s the tour schedule, performing almost every day for long periods of time leads to overworking the voice. Also, unhealthy lifestyle: ignoring the body and not taking proper rest. Professionals often neglect body care and assume they can warm up their voice without exercising and maintain a healthy body. Over time, that adds up to chronic tension."

Improper technique compounds the issue. Poor breath support, excessive throat tension, and speaking outside a comfortable pitch range all increase strain.

Dehydration is another common culprit. Vocal folds need moisture to vibrate efficiently, but dry air, caffeine, alcohol, and insufficient water intake reduce lubrication, which makes irritation more likely.

According to Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD, MPH, Board-Certified Otolaryngologist (ENT), SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, "Reflux-triggering diets, caffeine, alcohol, dehydration, and chronic coughing or throat clearing all negatively affect the voice. Smoking anything (tobacco, vaping, marijuana) will dry your vocal cords and affect your voice."

But what about factors that contribute to hearing health issues? According to Katie, there are few lifestyle factors that may accelerate hearing loss include:

• Stress;
• Poor sleep;
• Cardiovascular health issues;
• Exposure to ototoxic substances (ie: certain medications, smoking, excessive alcohol).

Dr. Madeleine Herman also adds poorly controlled diabetes to the list.

Daily Habits That Protect the Voice

Preventive voice care doesn’t require extreme routines or constant monitoring. It starts with consistency.

Hydration is the foundation. Drinking water regularly throughout the day keeps vocal tissue supple. According to Patricia, "Hydration is essential. Drinking enough water keeps the vocal folds elastic and resilient. Sleep is equally critical—poor sleep directly affects vocal coordination, recovery, and endurance.” 

Breathing and posture deserve attention too. Efficient breath support reduces pressure on the throat. Standing or sitting upright, with relaxed shoulders and a free neck, allows the voice to carry without effort.

Patricia says that "breathing exercises are fundamental. Maintaining a steady, controlled airflow reduces unnecessary tension and protects the voice over time. These exercises don’t need to be long, but they do need to be regular. Consistency matters more than intensity. Ten to fifteen minutes a day of mindful vocal care—every day—is far more effective than occasional long sessions. For professionals who use their voice daily, warm-ups must be progressive and systematic.

"They should begin gently, with humming and exercises involving lip and tongue movement, focusing on relaxation of the facial and jaw muscles. From there, the voice should be activated gradually.

"A typical approach starts in the middle of the voice—around middle C—using humming or soft vowels, then slowly expanding upward and downward by semitones. The goal is to stretch the voice without forcing it.”

In terms of hearing health, it's not exercises or warm-ups that should be the top priority but the use of the proper equipment. Katie says that custom earplugs or in-ear monitors can help to reduce volume evenly without distorting sound quality. Implementing smart listening habits can also help to prevent tinnitus or hearing loss.

Here are some examples of smart listening habits include:

• Taking listening breaks
• Keeping headphone volumes moderate
• Limiting exposure duration 

"Besides, hearing tests and sound-level monitoring apps can raise awareness, but do not replace professional assessment," Katie adds.

Dr. Sarah Lundstrom, an audiologist, a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a member of Florida Academy of Audiology, a Board-Certified member of the American Board of Audiology, and a doctor at HearCare Audiology, also adds that "if you spend significant time in loud noise (above 70 dB) or are in very noisy environments (above 100dB) even for short durations, you should consider having your hearing tested. If you notice ringing or buzzing, even temporarily, you should have your hearing checked."

Exercises for voice health

We've slightly touched on this above but Linor Oren, a vocal coach, shared with us a few practical exercises that she does herself and teaches her students to.

"Before anything vocal, do some bodywork: yoga, or even just mindful stretching. We want the body to be free from the chest up and grounded from the waist down. My favorites are yoga and Alexander technique: both have been crucial in releasing upper body tension and grounding myself from the waist down. If I skip this, I immediately feel it in my voice. I use the same four-part framework I teach: bodywork, warm-up, vocal technique, sing-through.

"In terms of vocal exercises, I do the straw for a minute 4 or 5 times per day and SOVT (basic warmup exercises on vocal consonants and the LAX vox/Thin straw). Specific warm-ups for the vocal cords: do exercises like buzzing (for example, lip trills or ‘NG’ hums), and, very useful: straw exercises. Everything that is narrowing the vocal tract. Prioritize consistency over intensity: don’t overtrain. For aging voices especially, vocal exercise should be regular (4 to 6 times a week) but not fatiguing. 15 minutes at a time is enough.”

A few more tips from Linor:

• Cool down after intense speaking or singing. A few minutes of humming on a comfortable pitch and some slides (basic ‘stretching’ for the vocal cords) can go a long way.
• Prioritize SOVT exercises like straw phonation or gentle hums to recalibrate after heavy use. Think of it like a vocal reset button.
• Cycle your voice use, like cross-training. I recommend alternating between technical work, expressive work, light vocal days and day of total rest per week, if possible.”

Monitoring Your Voice Before Problems Appear

One of the challenges of voice care is that internal sensations can be misleading. A voice may feel fine while compensatory tension quietly increases.

Recording and listening back to your voice over time can reveal patterns: loss of clarity after long sessions, changes in tone, or increasing breathiness. Tools that allow vocal isolation, such as LALAL.AI Stem Splitter, make it easier to hear the voice on its own, without distractions from background sound or music. For singers, educators, and speakers, this kind of listening can serve as an early warning system rather than a performance critique.

However, it doesn't replace regular checkups. According to Dr. Madeleine Herman, ideally, professionals should begin monitoring their hearing at the start of their career. A baseline audiogram in their late teens or early 20s is extremely valuable, followed by routine monitoring. Early changes are often subtle and easier to manage when caught early.

Besides, there’s technology that can help you monitor your voice and hearing health. Dr. Herman lists a few tools that might be particularly helpful: “Noise exposure apps (Such as the NIOSH sound level meter) and smartwatches with decibel tracking. There are also tinnitus minus (or T-minus) or other white noise apps that help tinnitus sufferers with sound therapy. Professional-grade in-ear monitor systems with volume limiting. These tools help with awareness, which is half the battle.”

In terms of frequency of the checkups, Dr. Herman suggests the following schedule:

• Audiology: annually (or sooner if symptoms change).
• ENT: baseline exam, then as needed or yearly for high-risk professionals.
• Voice therapy: early involvement at the first sign of strain—not just after injury.

The goal is not perfection, but awareness. Small changes noticed early are easier to address.

When Professional Help Is the Right Step

Persistent hoarseness lasting more than two or three weeks, pain when speaking or singing, frequent voice loss, or a sudden change in range should not be ignored. These are signals, not inconveniences.

Different specialists address different aspects of vocal health. Speech-language pathologists and voice therapists work on technique, coordination, and recovery. ENT doctors and laryngologists assess the physical condition of the vocal folds and rule out medical issues. Vocal coaches help adapt technique to changing voices, especially as singers age or workloads increase.

Seeking help early does not mean something is wrong. In many cases, it prevents minor issues from becoming lasting ones.

However, hearing and voice issues are not only professional risks. They are also part of many neurological and sensory conditions people live with every day.

The Brain Charity supports people living with all forms of neurological conditions in the UK, including those which can unfortunately lead to voice loss. Their services include practical information and advice, counselling and regular social activities for anyone affected by a neurological condition - and their family, friends and carers too. 

To learn more about The Brain Charity or make a donation to support their work, please visit their website: www.thebraincharity.org.uk

Raising awareness about voice and hearing health is also about supporting those who face these challenges beyond the studio or stage.

Caring for your voice and hearing in advance is not fear or health anxiety. It’s extending the life of something you use every day, often without thinking. Age, workload, and environment will all leave their mark, but preparation shapes how strong that mark will be.

Listening closely, resting deliberately, and treating the voice as a physical instrument rather than an abstract skill can change the long-term picture. The earlier that mindset takes hold, the more reliable the voice remains—on stage, on mic, in class, or in conversation.

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