How Weather Shifts Can Impact Your Voice (And What You Can Do About It)
As summer gives way to fall, you may notice an impact on your voice. Any seasonal/wather change can have an effect on your voice—especially for singers, speakers, and other vocal professionals. Just ask any singer who has flown into Denver for a tour date.
Dry air, fluctuating temperatures, and a changing allergen profile all play a role in how your voice performs and feels.
Humidity
One of the biggest culprits during seasonal shifts is humidity loss. When the air becomes cooler and drier, you lose more moisture when you breathe. A dehydrated system will produce thicker mucous and secretions, and vocal folds lose their natural lubrication. This makes them more vulnerable to irritation and strain, which increases the risk of hoarseness, fatigue, or even vocal injury.
Strategy: Many singers swear by their nebulizer. This can be an effective strategy for moisturing the throat and upper airway.
Other tips:
Preload: make sure you're maintaining good hydration throughout travel. Singing and performing are sweaty sports that may benefit from extra hydration or, rarely, even IV hydration to catch up to losses.
Humidifier: having a humidifier by your bedside helps to keep the vocal tract hyrated overnight.
Climate control: minimizing the use of AC and heat, both of which dry the air, can go a long way to preventing dehydration.
Allergens
If you're entering an unfamiliar city or traveling at an unfamiliar time of year, you may be hit with unexpected allergies. Allergies spike during late summer and early fall, particularly ragweed and mold. These can cause post-nasal drip, throat clearing, and inflammation—creating the perfect storm for vocal issues.
So how can you protect your voice?
Hydrate regularly by drinking water and using a room humidifier.
Warm up gently before extended vocal use, especially in dry conditions.
Avoid throat clearing, which can cause vocal fold trauma—try a forceful exhale followed by a swallow or sip of water instead.
Nasal irrigation can wash away irritants if they are safe for you to use.
Avoid antihistamines which can be drying. Try to see if regular use of a nasal spray (if medically safe) is sufficient.
If you're experiencing persistent hoarseness or discomfort, it’s time for a vocal checkup.
At the Center for Vocal Health, we offer baseline exams and stroboscopy to evaluate your vocal condition and catch early signs of stress or injury. Don’t wait until your voice is suffering—proactive care keeps your voice healthy all season long.
Book your fall vocal checkup with Dr. Reena Gupta today.
