CLEAR YOUR THROAT SAFELY AND PROTECT YOUR VOCAL CORDS: LET’S “CLEAR UP” THE CONFUSION!
By now most of us know that repeated forceful throat-clearing is not a good idea, as far as your vocal folds are concerned. In fact, my friend and colleague, laryngologist Dr. Joel Portnoy, says “Throat-clearing is like injuring your vocal cords just before you want to use them”… to sing, to teach, or even to […]
Read More
CIRCUMLARYNGEAL MASSAGE DE-STRESS YOUR VOICE
As a vocologist, I see people in my office every day who have voice problems. They have many different ideas as to what factors have contributed to their voice issues. So, what’s one of the biggest obstacles to having a healthy voice, whether speaking or singing? Reflux? Surely a big problem but probably not the […]
Read More
ALL STEAMED UP: STEAM YOUR WAY TO VOCAL HEALTH
According to my clients, good voice care (what we call vocal hygiene) can seem overwhelming at first. So much to remember, so little time. Today, I’d like to simplify some of that vocal hygiene for you. What if I told you there’s something you can do, in only 5-10 minutes a couple of times a […]
Read More
DRINK UP! HYDRATE FOR A HEALTHIER VOICE
Hydration – we all know it’s important for your health in general: for digestion, flushing toxins, healthy joints, for staying alert and clear-headed, etc. But why is hydration so important for your voice? The answer is simple: vocal folds (which aren’t really skinny “vocal cords”, but rather multi-layered folds of tissue) are covered with mucous […]
Read More
DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING DE-MYSTIFIED: IT’S NOT A LOT OF B.S.!
In this fast-paced world of work deadlines, high-stakes presentations, and competition for clients, stress is a given. Add to that the stress of your SECOND job: caring for your family, with carpooling, rushing to your kids’ appointments, and trying to keep up with exercise, a good diet, and enough sleep. Sure enough, stress becomes an […]
Read More
Happy Holidays – AND a Healthy Voice
It’s that time of year again: holiday parties and reveling, New Year’s festivities, and LOTS of talking to friends and relatives. It’s also a time of stress, rushing, too little sleep, and too many germs invading our mucous membranes. So, it’s the perfect time to talk about voice care, now and throughout the year. Winter […]
Read More
IT’S NYSSMA TIME – DON’T PANIC! READ THIS!
Your child has come home from school and announced that he/she would like to participate in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Festival voice evaluations for this coming spring. You look at the forms and immediately get that helpless feeling of “Uh-oh; what do I do now? My child has never even taken […]
Read More
“Tune In To Tune Up” Episode 6: Muscle Tension & Your Voice
How to Conquer Vocal Tension, featuring Joel Portnoy, MD and Kathleen Brooks, PT. If you’re a singer, or someone who makes your living with your speaking voice, then you won’t want to miss the next episode of Tune In to Tune Up with Karen Sussman, MA, CCC, voice therapist and singing voice expert. Have you […]
Read More
“Tune In to Tune Up” Episode 5: Stress & Your Voice
This Isn’t Just for Singers If you’ve ever been sidelined by stress or anxiety (and who hasn’t), especially as it relates to performing or public speaking situations, you won’t want to miss the next episode of Tune In to Tune Up with Karen Sussman, MA, CCC, voice therapist and singing voice expert. On Wednesday August […]
Read More
How to Have a Dog Without Losing Your Voice
Ah, man’s best friend (and woman’s too!) – a dog. Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways. An endless source of unconditional love, loyalty, and support. A companion, a protector, and a pal to take away sadness or pain…. we get all this and much more from our dogs. I should know: I’m on […]
Read More
