Hoarseness

To make yourself heard despite an affected voice, it is advisable not to speak louder, but instead to pronounce the words particularly clearly. Correct breathing and posture also help to use the voice as gently as possible. If your voice is affected, it is better to speak softly instead of whispe-ring. Whispering does not produce any sounds, but the vocal folds are very tense and are strai-ned accordingly. Clearing your throat is also not a good idea. The purpose of the throat-clearing reflex is to get rid of foreign bodies or mucus, but it also puts a lot of mechanical strain on the vocal apparatus.

Physiotherapy and speech therapy can help to reduce the increased coughing that makes life difficult for people who talk a lot when they have a cold. Doctors can prescribe measures such as voice training according to the remedies catalogue for voice, speech and language therapy, which is then best carried out by a speech therapist who specialises in voice therapy. In the case of throat clearing and coughing (irritation) in the context of lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, the doctor can prescribe respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapy devices that patients can use independently at home (such as GeloMuc®, Covidien VRP1 Flutter™ respiratory therapy device) can also be prescribed under certain conditions. The devices support the loosening of mucus in the airways in acute and chronic respiratory diseases.