‘Excessive shouting can lead to voice disorders’
A Speech and Language Therapist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Mr Clement Amponsah, has advised the public to desist from shouting as its excessiveness could lead to voice disorder.
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He explained that over time, repeated abuse of the voice results in the growth of bumps (Vocal Fold Nodules) in the vocal cords, which cause a hoarse or husky voice, occasional voice loss and feeling of excessive voice fatigue during periods of sustained talking.
Although these bumps are considered non-cancerous and easily treatable when identified early, in some extreme cases, such bumps or growths in the vocal cords, unattended to, could lead to throat cancer.
Mr Amponsah, who was speaking to The Mirror ahead of this year’s World Voice Day being marked in Ghana today, said the throat contained very delicate muscles which are easily bruised, so it must be handled carefully.
He said other habits such as clearing of throats, smoking or exposure to smoke, eating very spicy food and alcohol intake could also result in voice disorder.
“Clearing the throat is a very common cause of throat disorder; the muscles in the throat are very delicate so the slightest thing can irritate them. The best way to control such uncomfortable situations is to sip little bits of water,” he mentioned.
For teachers, singers, radio presenters, pastors, bus conductors and other professionals who constantly use their voice, he advised that it was important to keep the throat hydrated and also take frequent breaks so the voice was not over-stressed.
He said children who cried often or shouted excessively were also likely to experience such disorders in their voice.
He, therefore, advised parents to monitor the voice differences in their children and report to a medical facility if need be.
Self-medication
Furthermore, Mr Amponsah noted that because of the delicate nature of the throat muscle, applying any medications without prescription could worsen the situation.
“Unfortunately for us, there are just a few Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) centres in the country so most people resort to buying drugs from chemical shops. The best thing to do in such situations is to visit a medical facility so the situation is properly assessed.
“Voice therapy is very effective in correcting such disorders; however, if it is left untreated, it could lead to more serious throat, voice and vocal fold disorders,” he cautioned.
World Voice Day
The World Voice Day is a worldwide annual event that is devoted to the celebration of the phenomenon of voice. Its aim is to educate the public on the importance of the voice as a tool of communication.
Although worldwide, the day was marked on Sunday, April 16 under the theme, “Share your voice”, here in Ghana, the day is being celebrated today, April 21.
As part of activities to mark the day, the Speech and Language Therapists and Audiologists Association Ghana, in conjunction with the ENT Department of the KBTH, is organising an open house voice clinic and symposium for professional voice users.