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  1. Avoid Screaming and excessive voice use.
  2. Treat coughs as soon as possible and try to minimize coughing whenever possible.
  3. Drink plenty of water (2-3 liters/day)peak with adequate pauses, controlling speed.
  4. Use adequate melodic patterns for your speaking voice. Pitch and intensity changes help convey meaning, too. Articulate words precisely for better intelligibility.
  5. Avoid talking above loud background noise. Wear one earplug to hear yourself better in loud environments.
  6. Avoid talking with people who are far away. Walk closer to them and then talk.
  7. Control the volume of your voice when laughing.
  8. Keep volume level low when using earbuds so that you are not tempted to speak louder than you may realize.
  9. Keep airflow smooth during exercise; do not hold your breath (especially while weightlifting). Avoid bearing down.
  10. Stand up straight and do not tilt your head backward or to the sides when speaking.
  11. Control acid reflux.
  12. Do not smoke and avoid smoky environments. Avoid contact with laryngeal irritants.
  13. Take frequent “voice naps”. Let your voice recover.
  14. Avoid eating spicy and highly acidic foods.
  15. Avoid using your voice for long periods of time when you have nasal congestion. Seek help to treat chronic congestion.
  16. If your voice quality changes suddenly, rest your voice and consult your physician or laryngologist.
  17. Wear an earplug during loud events. You will hear yourself better when you speak and not strain your voice as much.
  18. If your voice loss is gradual and does not improve within 2 weeks, consult your physician or laryngologist.
  19. If you are speaking or singing in a way that makes you hoarse or causes discomfort, STOP!

Overall a big message is always to avoid clearing your throat. If you feel that there is something in your throat, quickly exhale a large amount of air (no voice), then swallow several sips of water, gently inhale through your nose.