Vocal Loading - Effect of Speaking Environment

Effect of Speaking Environment

Several studies in vocal loading show that the speaking environment does have a significant impact on vocal loading. Still, the exact details are debated. Most scientists agree on the effect of the following environmental properties:

  • air humidity - dry air increases stress experienced in the vocal folds
  • hydration - dehydration increases effects of stress inflicted on the vocal folds
  • background noise - people tend to speak louder when background noise is present, even when it isn't necessary. Increasing speaking volume increases stress inflicted on the vocal folds
  • pitch - the "normal" speaking style has close to optimal pitch. Using a higher or lower pitch than normal will also increase stress in the speech organs.

In addition, smoking and other types of air pollution might have a negative effect on voice production organs.

Read more about this topic:  Vocal Loading

Famous quotes containing the words effect of, effect, speaking and/or environment:

    “Ignorant kindness may have the effect of cruelty; but to be angry with it as if it were direct cruelty would be an ignorant unkindness.”
    —George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)

    “The courage of a great many men, and the virtue of a great many women, are the effect of vanity, shame, and especially a suitable temperament.”
    —François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)

    “Happy is the hearing man; unhappy the speaking man.”
    —Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    “We learn through experience and experiencing, and no one teaches anyone anything. This is as true for the infant moving from kicking to crawling to walking as it is for the scientist with his equations. If the environment permits it, anyone can learn whatever he chooses to learn; and if the individual permits it, the environment will teach him everything it has to teach.”
    —Viola Spolin (b. 1911)