Tech-Neck and the Voice: How Posture Impacts Vocal Health

We often talk about how hydration, vocal technique, and rest impact your voice—but have you ever considered your posture?

In today’s digital world, many people—especially voice professionals, teachers, and content creators—spend hours looking down at phones or hunched over laptops. Known as “tech-neck,” this posture can have a serious impact on your vocal function.

What Is Tech-Neck?

Tech-neck refers to the forward head posture caused by frequent device use. This puts strain on the neck, shoulders, and muscles around and behind the larynx (voice box). Over time, this tension can restrict laryngeal mobility, increase vocal effort, and contribute to muscle tension dysphonia (MTD).

Given that vocal athletes are on their phones consistently due to work demands, this is particularly relevant.

How It Affects Your Voice

When your head tilts forward and down, it creates a constricted chest and neck. This impacts the expanded breath that is critical for supported, healthy voicing. The voice that may feel tight, weak, or fatigued—especially after long periods of speaking or singing.

This would be similar to a runner walking in high-heels all day, and then trying to race. Their leg and back muscles would be inefficiently positioned to do athletic tasks.

Consistently using muscles inefficiently (slouched forward posture) requires "undoing" to optimize the voice.

What You Can Do

• Raise your screen to eye level when possible.

• Take posture breaks every 30–60 minutes.

• Stretch your neck and shoulders throughout the day. Strengthen the back

• Practice gentle vocal warm-ups to release tension.

• Breathing exercises to re-engage the full chest cavity and breath.

If you're noticing increased vocal strain, don’t ignore it. At the Center for Vocal Health, we assess not just your vocal folds, but the muscular patterns that may be holding your voice back.

Book a voice evaluation today—and give your posture a voice in your vocal care.