CHANDIGARH, 10.04.25-A healthy voice is imperative for effective communication. Globally more than 7% of the population suffers from voice disorders. In India, the prevalence rate is around 8% of the total population. Voice problems may range from change in voice to complete inability to speak. It could be either functional or organic. A voice disorder exists when a person's quality, pitch, and loudness differ from those of similar age, gender, cultural background, and geographic location. Patients should be concerned when there is persistent vocal quality change including breathiness, hoarseness or complete loss of voice. Other symptoms also include a persistent funny' feeling or pain in the larynx, persistent feeling that the voice is stuck in the throat, vocal fatigue and persistent pitch breaks. PGIMER, being a premiere institute in medical education, research and patient care, caters to the medical needs of patients from almost five states of Northern India. The number of patients visiting ENT OPD at PGI is on an average 900 per day with various ENT ailments, out of which 8 to 10 patients per day are diagnosed with voice disorders. The total number of patients with voice disorders has increased tremendously over the period of time probably due to the life style modifications. Most of the voice disorders are preventable through appropriate awareness and public education programs.
16th of April every year, is recognized as World Voice Day, an international celebration of the human voice established to help raise public and professional awareness about voice disorders. The theme for this year is "Empower your Voice". The Otolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons, Speech Language Pathologists and other Vocal Health Professionals worldwide join together to create awareness among general Public to assess their vocal health and to maintain good vocal habits. Around 46 countries have come together to create awareness among general public. In Chandigarh, under the guidance of Dr JaimantiBakshi (Professor & Head of the Department), the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, PGIMER, we would like to observe the World Voice Day by spreading awareness on voice disorders through media, which will enable the public, understand the basic issues that can arise with ill vocal practices. Also, the current season being summer, it is pertinent for the public to understand the dos and donts for maintaining a good vocal hygiene. There are many ways in which people can conserve their voice and prevent the development of voice disorders, including keeping hydrated, minimizing activities causing vocal strain such as yelling, avoid excessive throat clearing ,warming up before heavy vocal use, using appropriate breath support, using amplification (For professional voice users like singers and teachers) and paying attention to voice cues. Management of voice disorders involves a team of professionals such as ENT Specialist, Speech Language Pathologist and Psychologist. Whenever a person feels difference in his voice quality, following any episode of illness, allergies, Gastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD)/ Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR), thyroid problems he/she can take up the following precautionary measures to prevent further deterioration of voice quality.