As part of our ongoing research into science research on fans (This is Your Brain on Sports) we came across a study – at Duke – that came to the conclusion that cheering at sporting events can damage your vocal chords and even change the sound of your voice.
“Too much screaming can change the quality of your voice, your ability to use it how you want to, and even put you at risk for losing your voice’s natural sound,” says David L. Witsell, MD, Director of Duke University Medical Center’s Voice Care Center.
Witsell does offer up some advice for fan though, “You can be loud, cheer joyfully and clearly when you support it all with good breathing techniques and good hydration.”
Breathing and hydration…yeah, they are high on the tailgating priority list.
Lee M. Akst, director of the Johns Hopkins Voice Center, said, “Yelling at basketball and baseball games, talking too much on your cell phone, and other forms of overuse can damage your voice. Red flags for an over-used voice are frequent hoarseness, a sense of strain while talking, or discomfort while speaking. If hoarseness lasts for more than two weeks or is accompanied by ear pain, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing, it may indicate a potentially serious vocal cord condition. If these symptoms occur, then you should be evaluated by an ear-nose-throat specialist as quickly as possible.”
Sounds like every single conference championship game, and the morning after, from earlier this month.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), almost three of every 10 people have experienced voice problems including high risk fields such as teachers, lawyers, television broadcasters, and bare-chested body-painted rival-hatin’ sports fans. (We added in the final one for effect.)
I can’t hear you! Yell at Dr. Venkman via e-mail.
Posted by Ben Meyers 
