Have you ever lost your voice after singing loudly at a concert or even shouting after a heated argument? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience hoarseness or outright vocal loss after screaming. But why does this happen?
Our vocal folds, also known as vocal cords, sit inside our throat in our larynx. We seem to lose our voice quicker if we shout or if we talk continuously the whole day. But what exactly happens to our vocal folds when we unleash a continuous scream? In this blog, we will explore the anatomy of our voice, how screaming affects it, and what we can do to protect our precious vocal folds.
In my previous blog, 'Why Do We All Sound Different?", I mentioned the anatomy of the voice, the vocal folds being white wet tissue which is the size of your pinky fingernail. Have a look at the picture below. These are what our vocal folds look like from a bird's eye view. When we are breathing, the vocal folds sit open not touching one another just like the picture on the left but when speak, sing or make any audible noise, the vocal folds are closed and they overlap smoothly with one another over a hundred times per second which causes the vibrations in our neck. This vibration produces sound, which is then shaped by the throat, mouth, and nasal passages to create the various tones and pitches we use in communication. But when we scream our vocal folds do not overlap smoothly.
The Mechanics of Screaming
When you scream, you make a really loud noise with your voice to show strong feelings, like being happy, scared, or excited. While screaming may seem like just a burst of sound, we forcefully expel air from our lungs through the vocal folds. This sudden rush of air creates a higher volume of sound. However, this aggressive manner of vocalisation puts significant strain on the vocal folds, leading to the risk of injury.
When we speak, there is some friction created from the overlapping of the vocal folds, due to the air pressure but this is normally manageable because the muscles around the vocal folds are supporting it and your muscles are ready to contract when told by the brain. When you scream, the vocal folds experience drastic changes in tension and length. Unlike normal speech, where the vocal folds are under moderate tension and vibration, screaming involves a high level of strain. The vocal folds attempt to adjust to the increased airflow and pressure, but because the muscles aren't ready to give the vocal folds the support, it creates inconsistent sound. Sometimes when people scream, you might hear a sudden change in their voice. They scream but there's a gap in the scream like silence or the scream doesn't have the same energy throughout. This is because the vocal folds and the muscles surrounding the vocal folds aren't working in sync.
What Happens When You Scream?
There is also increased tension, when you scream, the muscles surrounding the vocal folds tighten dramatically. Imagine walking on your toes the whole time, all that pressure from your body just on your 10 toes causes a lot of pressure. This increased tension can cause the vocal folds to swell. If you scream excessively, this swelling can become severe and cause pain. In addition, screaming a lot causes friction and trauma to the vocal folds. As the vocal folds vibrate under intense pressure, they can rub against each other more aggressively than they do during normal speech. This friction can lead to micro-tears in the delicate tissue of the folds, resulting in hoarseness and discomfort. Without any hydration to the vocal folds, dehydration can exacerbate the risk of injury by reducing the natural lubrication of the vocal folds, leading to irritation and a feeling of rawness. So when a person screams continuously, the repetitive strain can lead to changes in the voice, including raspiness, loss of control, and even temporary vocal fold paralysis in extreme cases.
How Can I Tell My Vocal Folds Are Overused?
Interestingly, your vocal folds which I described as wet tissue have no nerves. So your vocal folds won't be able to tell you that you are in pain. This is why people are puzzled when their voice doesn't work the next day. It's not like you are pinching yourself and you can tell if it hurts or not because your nerves tell you, your vocal folds do not have nerves.
Apart from loss of voice, many people report pain or discomfort after prolonged screaming. Even though this pain is not from the vocal folds directly, there are several factors which tell you that you have used your voice in an unhealthy way. The most obvious way to tell is when your neck has muscle strain. The muscles around your neck can feel sore or tight or your body feels tired.
Protecting Your Voice
Now that we understand how screaming can hurt our voice, it’s essential to focus on how to protect our vocal folds. If you know you have lost your voice, the best way for it to heal is for you to rest. Remember the muscles around your vocal folds are weak from constant contraction when you have been screaming, so rest your voice and not speak for the next 24 hours. Keep your voice hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Honey can help soothe the throat. Keeping the vocal folds moist helps reduce the friction. Limit the duration and the time you spend screaming. This is quite an obvious one, but some professionals like teachers do shout at children during most of the day which creates unnecessary vocal strain. If you do find yourself frequently losing your voice or experiencing pain, do consider seeing an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who can identify if it's poor vocal habits or if it's something more serious like vocal nodules where you'll have to receive surgery to get them removed.
Even though screaming can sometimes be a natural response to excitement, fear, or anger, it can come at a costly price to our vocal health. By understanding the mechanics of our voice and recognising the risks associated, we can take better care of our vocal folds.
If you are looking to prevent vocal strain, improve your vocal techniques, or enhance your overall vocal health, I invite you to give me a call. Together, we can develop tailored strategies and exercises that suit your specific needs. Let’s ensure your voice stays strong. Reach out today to get started on your vocal journey!
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