***Stop Yelling for Your Favorite Team -- Try Projecting Your Voice Instead!

When I hear a raspy, gravelly, hoarse voice, I know what the problem is. It is called vocal abuse; and, I also know that it will not get any better on its own unless the speaker changes how he or she produces voiced sound. Those who suffer from chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat or even loss of voice are often fans rooting for their favorite teams. It is not just happening to those in the stands at professional sports games or those watching on television. It can also happen when we attend our children's football, baseball, soccer and/or hockey games

If you are experiencing a problem with your voice, it would be a good idea to see an ear, nose and throat specialist to eliminate any physiological disorder. For many people, however, there is nothing physically wrong with the throat or vocal folds (cords) aside from some redness. The problem, however, is that prolonged use of the voice in this manner can eventually cause serious damage to those very delicate organs, your vocal folds.

Aside from being unable to root for your favorite team, can you imagine having no voice to conduct business, talk to your family or friends, or just answer the phone? Vocal abuse is not something you can ignore if you are experiencing the hoarseness, the pain, or the loss of sound. Yes, you could stop talking for a few months – not a good idea for most people – but upon resuming your speech after recovery, the vocal abuse will return if you continue to place the same undue wear and tear on your throat and vocal folds.

The only answer is to learn to power your sound by means of your chest cavity. James Earl Jones and George Clooney are doing it; and, Kathleen Turner and Diane Sawyer are doing it as well. Not only have they greatly decreased their odds of suffering from vocal abuse, but they also have fabulous speaking voices. This is the result of using their chest cavity as their primary sounding board. And, if they want to increase their volume, they do not yell, they project. Projecting the voice is only possible, however, if your use your chest cavity to power your sound. Anything else is shouting or yelling.

You do not have to suffer from vocal abuse any longer. Voice training can eliminate the hoarseness and the soreness before you do serious damage. If having a voice matters to you, learn to power your sound by means of your chest cavity so that you can eliminate the strain and discomfort to those delicate organs. You have a richer, warmer, deeper, and definitely sexier voice inside of you. All you need to do is find it.