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Voice rest

Discharge advice

Surgery

Voice rest following surgery ensures that the site of surgery heals correctly, producing smooth vocal cords which are necessary for a clear voice.

You have been requested to have voice rest for a specified length of time.

This means that you should not:

  • Speak

  • Whisper

  • Sing

  • Cough or clear your throat

Try to deep swallow or sip water if you feel that you need to cough or clear your throat.

To prepare for voice rest you will need to:

  • Think of a new way to communicate

  • Make sure that your family and friends know that you need to be silent

  • You need to think of ways of coping without your voice, for example, if the phone rings

If you can discuss these issues with your friends and relatives before you start your voice rest it will make difficult situations easier to cope with.

While carrying out voice rest, the following techniques may be useful:

  • Use steam inhalations to keep the throat moist
  • Make sure you do not clench your teeth. Keep the jaw and neck muscles relaxed
  • Try to avoid smoking, smoky atmospheres, alcohol and spicy foods

When your voice rest has finished:

  • Don’t overuse your voice or shout
  • Gradually increase the use of your voice over a period of time
  • Don’t worry if your voice doesn’t sound at it’s best at first, it will improve
  • You may need a speech therapy appointment after you are discharged from hospital
Please do not hesitate to contact the ward if you experience any problems.

Further information

You may like to look at the following websites for more information, however as we are not responsible for them we cannot endorse them:

Patient experience

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.

This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.

T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]

The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
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