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World Voice Day - April 16

World Voice Day is an opportunity to inform the public about voice health
Published: 13 April 2015

When:

  • April 16 is the official World Voice Day
  • A public seminar on voice health will be held April 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 New Music Building Rm A-832, 527 Sherbrooke St. W.听 For more information:mcgill.ca/scsd/wvd

Why it is important

  • Voice disorders affect one in ten adults in their lifetime.
  • They often affect people whose work depends critically on voice, such as teachers, coaches, salespeople, politicians, and singers. The singer Adele, for example, cancelled a tour in 2011 because of voice problems, but good treatment allowed her to make a successful comeback.
  • Voice problems can lead to loss of employment and depression.

What can be done

  • Most problems can be prevented or self-managed.
  • Screening for emerging problems in a voice clinic (imaging of vocal cords, sound testing of the voice)
  • Good voice habits (modifying and resting one鈥檚 voice, drinking water, avoiding dry-air environments鈥)
  • Treatments for major problems range from exercises to injecting a drug into the patient鈥檚 throat or other types of surgeries.

The future of voice health

  • Researchers are now looking at ways to diagnose some problems using lasers instead of doing biopsy which involves minor surgery.

Potential interviewees

  • Dr Karen Kost is a medical doctor and Director of the Voice Clinic at the Montreal General Hospital. She can comment on screening, therapy and what is good 鈥渧ocal hygiene鈥.
  • Prof Nicole Li, Assistant Professor of Faculty of Medicine at 捆绑SM社区, is in charge of a research lab on voice disorders. She can talk about voice therapy and the research behind that.
  • Corina Vincelli is a professional singer and was treated for voice problems at Dr Kost鈥檚 clinic.
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