How to Speed Up Getting Your Voice Back
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
You can commonly lose your voice from respiratory illnesses, but you can lose your voice by misuse or overuse from yelling, singing, or even talking too much. Allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, and smoking can also cause you to lose your voice.
You may wonder how long it takes to recover or if there are things you can do to speed up getting your voice back. The good news is that laryngitis (inflammation of your larynx or voice box) is usually temporary, and there are some techniques you can try to heal your voice.
This article explains factors determining when you get your voice back, how to get your voice back, and things that inhibit getting your voice back quickly.
ljubaphoto / Getty Images
Related: Why Does My Voice Sound Raspy?
Factors That Determine When You Get Your Voice Back
Most of the time, laryngitis clears up within a few days to a week. But that's just an average. Some people may find that their lost voice lasts for just a day or so, while others may be without a full voice for a couple of weeks.
Certain factors may play a role in how long you lose your voice. Singers, teachers, lawyers, and public speakers are at greater risk of losing their voices because of the high demand on their vocal cords.
In addition, the following can determine how quickly (or slowly) your voice returns:
How much you use or rest your voice
Whether you use either extreme ranges of your voice (screaming or whispering)
Whether you use good breathing techniques to support singing or talking or you talk from the throat
Whether you strain your voice or use a microphone
You can get your voice back more quickly by resting it, not straining it in extreme ranges, speaking and singing from your diaphragm, and using aids like microphones when speaking publicly.
Tips for Performers
If you are a performer, the following tips may help prevent vocal strain:
Take vocal naps by resting your voice throughout the day.
Avoid medications that are drying, like some allergy and cold medicines.
Avoid smoking.
Avoid spicy foods, which could lead to reflux in some people.
Get enough rest.
Wash hands frequently to avoid illness.
Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.
How to Get Your Voice Back With Rest
Voice rest is the primary treatment for laryngitis. Complete voice rest can relieve discomfort and swelling within 24 to 48 hours of starting voice rest.
Voice rest works best when you do not use your voice at all, not even to whisper. Although it may not be apparent, whispering is one of the extremes of voice use and puts much strain on your voice.
Plan to rest your voice for a day or two to see if your symptoms improve. If not, you can rest your voice for up to a week; longer is not practical or recommended.
How to Get Your Voice Back With Steam
Moist air is good for laryngitis. So, pull out the humidifier or sit in a steamy bathroom and breathe in the humid air.
People with vocal fatigue may be more susceptible to the vocal effects of dehydration. In these cases, a humidifier can help replace the lost moisture in the air and, therefore, the throat.
To use steam to get your voice back, try the following:
Run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep.
Run a hot shower, sit in the bathroom, and breathe in the steam for 15 to 20 minutes.
Lean over a bowl of steaming water and breathe in the moist air (be careful not to burn yourself on the steam).
Humidifiers are labeled as either "cool mist" or "warm mist" (also called steam vaporizers). Both must be kept clean to avoid the buildup of bacteria and mold in the machine and the air. Cool mist humidifiers are safer, especially if you have children in the home, because they do not pose a risk of steam burns.
How to Get Your Voice Back With Hydration
Drinking plenty of water can also help you get your voice back quickly. Drinking enough liquids not only moisturizes your throat, it also keeps your entire body functioning, which helps its ability to heal. Try to aim for at least 8 cups a day.
Along those lines, avoid dehydrating liquids, including caffeine and alcohol. Instead, stick to water, juices, broths, and smoothies.
Related: How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?
How to Get Your Voice Back With Lozenges
Sucking on lozenges, including cough drops and hard candies, helps you produce saliva to keep your throat moist. Take sips of water as the throat lozenge dissolves in your mouth. Gum is also suitable for this purpose.
Related: Natural Remedies for Laryngitis
How Not to Get Your Voice Back
In addition to doing all the right things to get your voice back quickly, there are also some things to add to your list of things to avoid. These include:
Dehydration and dry air
Using your voice too much
Using medications that are drying
Smoking
Eating spicy foods
Getting too little rest
Using a mouthwash that contains alcohol
Yelling or whispering
The best thing you can do to get your voice back is not to talk (or whisper), stay hydrated, and keep your throat moist.
Summary
Losing your voice happens to most people at some time or another. It most commonly occurs from illness, but it can also happen to people who overuse or misuse their voice. The good news is acute laryngitis is short-lived, usually lasting just a few days to a week. However, voice rest, steam, drinking lots of water, and sucking on lozenges may speed up the process. In some cases, you may even get your voice back overnight.
