Voice is an integral part of who we are. It’s not just how we communicate—it’s a tool for expression, identity, and connection. Our voice shapes how we are perceived, how we interact, and how we engage with the world around us.
When You Feel Like Your Voice Won’t Cooperate
So, when our voice starts to fail us, it can be deeply frustrating. The sounds we rely on may not come out the way we expect, or worse, they may not come out at all.
It’s easy to feel betrayed when you find that your voice isn’t showing up for you the ways you need. Your voice might sound foreign to you. It may not carry the tone, pitch, or resonance that you’re used to or that you desire. It might feel as though it's no longer representing you, or that it doesn’t have your best interests at heart.
I get it. As a voice therapist, I often work with people who are struggling with vocal issues, whether from injury, overuse, or anxiety, and I've worked with many folks who feel disconnected from their own voice when it doesn't meet their expectations. But before you throw in the towel, consider the bigger picture.
Stress triggers physical responses that affect the vocal folds and the way we communicate, often making it harder to express ourselves clearly or calmly.
The Role of the Voice: More Than Just Sound
The vocal folds (vocal cords) are tiny, delicate structures that play a vital role in much more than just producing sound. They are located inside the larynx (voice box) which sits on top of the trachea (windpipe). When air from your lungs passes through the vocal folds, they vibrate, creating sound waves that are then shaped into speech or song. It’s a complex process that allows us to connect with others. But the role of the vocal folds doesn’t stop there.
No matter what is prompting the voice issue you're facing, there's one common and often overlooked thread: the connection between the voice and stress. And it is indeed a powerful one. Stress can be reflected by the voice in many ways, whether it’s by tension in the throat, breathlessness, or by altering the pitch and clarity.
Your Defender
One of the most important, but often overlooked, functions of the vocal folds is their role in protecting the airway. Many of us don't think about voice beyond it being a tool for communication or expression, but it plays an essential part in breathing and airway protection.
The vocal folds abduct or open during inhalation to allow air to flow into the lungs. They close tightly during airway protection tasks, such as coughing or swallowing. This prevents foreign materials, like food or liquids, from entering the lungs, which could cause choking or infection. The voice is a first line of defense in keeping us alive.
If your vocal folds are injured or inflamed, if your airway is compromised, or even if you are in an elevated or anxious state, the vocal folds will respond accordingly. It's here that you might notice changes in your voice, whether hoarseness, loss of range, fatigue, or a shaky, and suddenly squeaky-sounding voice.
The body prioritizes protection over sound production. While practice vocal exercises and mindfulness techniques can help manage the stress response and restore balance, sometimes the first step is understanding and compassion. Instead of willing your voice to sound a certain way, try recognizing first that these voice changes are your body’s way of saying, “I’m doing my best to keep you safe.”
The Power of Compassion
Understanding the anatomy and function of your vocal folds can help you to appreciate the work they do every day, often without us even realizing it.
Your voice isn’t failing you—it’s protecting you. It’s doing the best it can under the circumstances with the tools it has.
A Better Balance
It's important to find a speech-language pathologist who has extensive experience in voice. Working with a trained voice therapist can help you understand the nature and underlying contributors to your vocal changes, and can help you address and prevent vocal injuries, strain, and weakness. With the right guidance, exercises, and techniques, you can restore and even optimize your vocal performance.
Caring for and connecting with your voice isn’t just for those dealing with vocal injury or illness; stress might be impacting your voice.
Next time you feel frustrated with your voice, start by taking a moment to appreciate everything it does for you—beyond just speaking or singing. Treat it with kindness, understanding, and patience. After all, it’s more than just sound—it’s a vital part of your health and well-being.
Taking the Next Step
Whether you're looking to free, finesse, or rehabilitate your voice, our highly experienced Voice Therapists and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists are here for you. We can help you understand how to prevent vocal injury and best care for your voice so you can continue to communicate and express yourself effectively. Get started with an Online Intake Appointment or try a Free Meet-and-Greet.
SpeechAppeal is an Online Speech & Voice Therapy Clinic Supporting Adults Ontario-Wide Eligibility: Ontario residents