Make Your Voice Count This World Voice Day
Norman D. Hogikyan, MD, Ann Arbor, MI, Director, Vocal Health Center Department of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery The theme for World Voice Day 2012 is Make Your Voice Count. This is a simple phrase, and yet if you pause to consider it further you can find meaning on so many different levels. At perhaps the most fundamental level, it reminds us that our voice is essential for any number of basic activities that might be done on a given day. Yes, this could even include counting out loud, but also speaking with colleagues at work, placing an order in a restaurant, or just saying “good morning” to a friend or spouse. If you think of it on a different level and with particular emphasis, Make Your Voice Count, it brings to mind the fact that voice is part of our individual personality and identity. For most people, it is words from our unique human instrument that serve as our ambassador to the world around us. Even in a contemporary society that is actively engaged with social media, texting and tweeting, first impressions are frequently based upon our voice. It can portray confidence, uncertainty, friendship, anger and many other sentiments. We also make a deep connection with the voices of our loved ones: think of the last time that you told someone, “It is so good just to hear the sound of your voice.” Similarly, what young parent is not overjoyed and filled with wonder at hearing their child’s first words? Thought of in yet another way, Make Your Voice Count, it is a reminder that every individual has the right to a voice in the concerns of our collective world. This past year has seen many examples of individuals rising up to be certain that their voice was heard. Popular uprisings in the Middle East or the Occupy Movement in the United States are well known examples of voices speaking out. The United States will also hold a presidential election in 2012, employing a democratic process that is intended to leave no voice unheard. It matters that every person has a voice. World Voice Day is a time to celebrate the voice and also a time to promote awareness about vocal health. Many people will not have thought about the importance of vocal health unless they or someone close to them has experienced a significant voice disorder. A great thing about the larynx or voice box is that we are born with it as our natural instrument; there is not even an “app” you need to download to use it. Unlike an instrument like a trumpet or guitar though, we cannot carefully put it away into a protective case whenever we are not using it. The human voice box or larynx is constantly exposed to potential injury or irritation, but fortunately we can prevent many types of voice problems by following a few simple vocal health guidelines. To help ensure that you can count on your voice now and in the future: Never smoke. Keep yourself well hydrated. Water is the best. Don’t scream or shout. Use a microphone if you need to project your voice. Rest your voice if you have laryngitis. Get evaluated by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat physician) if you have persistent hoarseness.
Norman D. Hogikyan, MD, Ann Arbor, MI, Director, Vocal Health Center Department of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery

The theme for World Voice Day 2012 is Make Your Voice Count. This is a simple phrase, and yet if you pause to consider it further you can find meaning on so many different levels.
At perhaps the most fundamental level, it reminds us that our voice is essential for any number of basic activities that might be done on a given day. Yes, this could even include counting out loud, but also speaking with colleagues at work, placing an order in a restaurant, or just saying “good morning” to a friend or spouse.
If you think of it on a different level and with particular emphasis, Make Your Voice Count, it brings to mind the fact that voice is part of our individual personality and identity. For most people, it is words from our unique human instrument that serve as our ambassador to the world around us. Even in a contemporary society that is actively engaged with social media, texting and tweeting, first impressions are frequently based upon our voice. It can portray confidence, uncertainty, friendship, anger and many other sentiments. We also make a deep connection with the voices of our loved ones: think of the last time that you told someone, “It is so good just to hear the sound of your voice.” Similarly, what young parent is not overjoyed and filled with wonder at hearing their child’s first words?
Thought of in yet another way, Make Your Voice Count, it is a reminder that every individual has the right to a voice in the concerns of our collective world. This past year has seen many examples of individuals rising up to be certain that their voice was heard. Popular uprisings in the Middle East or the Occupy Movement in the United States are well known examples of voices speaking out. The United States will also hold a presidential election in 2012, employing a democratic process that is intended to leave no voice unheard. It matters that every person has a voice.
World Voice Day is a time to celebrate the voice and also a time to promote awareness about vocal health. Many people will not have thought about the importance of vocal health unless they or someone close to them has experienced a significant voice disorder. A great thing about the larynx or voice box is that we are born with it as our natural instrument; there is not even an “app” you need to download to use it. Unlike an instrument like a trumpet or guitar though, we cannot carefully put it away into a protective case whenever we are not using it. The human voice box or larynx is constantly exposed to potential injury or irritation, but fortunately we can prevent many types of voice problems by following a few simple vocal health guidelines.
To help ensure that you can count on your voice now and in the future:
- Never smoke.
- Keep yourself well hydrated. Water is the best.
- Don’t scream or shout. Use a microphone if you need to project your voice.
- Rest your voice if you have laryngitis.
- Get evaluated by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat physician) if you have persistent hoarseness.