Vocal Hygiene
Protect and maintain your voice with expert guidance at The Forbury Clinic.
What is Vocal Hygiene?
Vocal hygiene refers to habits and practices that keep your voice healthy and reduce strain on your vocal cords. It’s essential for anyone who uses their voice frequently or professionally, and even more important if you’ve had past voice issues or are in recovery.
Who Needs Vocal Hygiene Advice?
Vocal hygiene is beneficial for:
Singers, actors and performers
Teachers, coaches and call centre workers
Public speakers and clergy
Anyone recovering from a voice disorder or surgery
People experiencing:
Hoarseness
Vocal Fatigue
Frequent throat clearing
Care for Your Voice Before It Needs Treatment
Whether you’re a singer, teacher, public speaker or simply someone experiencing vocal fatigue, vocal hygiene is key to maintaining a healthy, strong voice. At The Forbury Clinic in Reading, we offer specialist advice and tailored voice care plans to help prevent vocal strain and voice disorders.
What’s Included in a Vocal Hygiene Session?
Your session will be led by an experienced voice specialist or laryngologist, and may include:
- Personalised voice use assessment
- Identification of vocal strain habits
- Techniques to reduce throat tension
- Lifestyle, hydration and environment advice
- Guidance on safe speaking/singing practices
- Collaboration with speech therapists if needed
Meet Our Vocal Hygiene Specialists
Mr. Tom Rourke
ENT Specialist
Mr. Rourke, our Consultant ENT Surgeon, focuses on head and neck cancer, thyroid, voice and airway issues, rhinology, and snoring.
Mr. Rogan Corbridge
ENT Specialist
A Consultant ENT Surgeon who specialises in surgery of the head, neck, thyroid, and salivary glands.
Key Vocal Hygiene Tips We Cover
- Staying hydrated
- Avoid shouting, whispering or throat clearing
- Rest your voice after heavy use
- Use amplification when speaking to groups
- Avoid smoking and manage acid reflux
- Warm up your voice before use (especially for singers)
Integrated Care Approach
When appropriate, your vocal hygiene support can be combined with:
- Voice therapy with a speech and language therapist
- Stroboscopy or laryngoscopy for detailed voice assessment
- ENT consultation for medical or structural concerns
Voice Clinic FAQs
- Who should visit a voice clinic?
Anyone experiencing persistent voice changes, hoarseness, vocal fatigue, pain while speaking, or voice loss should consider visiting. It’s especially recommended for professional voice users like singers, teachers, actors, and speakers.
- What conditions are treated at a voice clinic?
Common conditions include vocal nodules, polyps, vocal cord paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia, laryngitis, and voice issues due to reflux or neurological disorders.
- Do I need a referral to visit a voice clinic?
This depends on the clinic. Some private clinics accept self-referrals, while NHS or hospital-based clinics may require a GP or ENT referral.
- Can stress or anxiety affect the voice?
Yes. Psychological factors like stress or anxiety can lead to muscle tension dysphonia, a common cause of voice problems.
Why Choose The Forbury Clinic?
At The Forbury Clinic, you receive consultant-led, specialist care with quick access and flexible appointments to suit your schedule. Our comfortable environment in central Reading ensures you feel at ease throughout your journey. We also offer multidisciplinary support, working closely with ENT surgeons, laryngologists and speech therapy teams to provide seamless, personalised treatment.