April 11, 2018

SIU recognizing 2018 World Voice Day with an April 17 event

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Most people use their voice every day — to communicate, express themselves artistically or simply relieve frustration. And few people give much thought to preserving this important aspect of ourselves until there is a problem.

World Voice Day was created by an organization representing head and neck surgeons to help promote awareness of voice problems and educate others on how to protect their voices.

SIU to celebrate World Voice Day April 17

Southern Illinois University Carbondale will support the cause with a special event at Morris Library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 17 to raise awareness, share information, and help save voices.

Everyone is welcome to attend the free event.

Learn to save voices

Visitors are welcome to stop by the information booth anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the hall near the Lincoln bust to talk with campaign members, who will be wearing special T-shirts for the occasion.

With educational materials, activities and discussions, SIU students will share how to prevent voice problems and why protecting voices and practicing good vocal hygiene is important. 

Ways you can protect your voice

For instance, they note that by not smoking, staying hydrated, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, avoiding straining vocal cords and even taking care not to cough or clear your throat too much, you can help avoid damaging your vocal cords.

They’ll also offer information about available treatments for voice issues and advocate in support of VocaliD, a company that creates customized synthetic voices for speaking devices used by people who have lost their own.

Video presentation will be featured

An exhibit of short videos focusing on voice science and protecting our voices will be featured as well.

The presentation will take place at noon in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at the library.

Several organizations involved

The event, which takes place the day after the worldwide celebration of World Voice Day, is sponsored by the SIU’s Communication Disorders and Sciences program, the Rehabilitation Institute and the campus chapter of the National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

The theme is “Make the Choice to Cherish Your Voice.”