As the intensely hot weather that is starting to arrive presses in, air conditioning has become one of our most reliable allies to cope with it. Yet what initially offers relief and a good way to cool off can turn into a real problem for the throat. In fact, summer can be one of the worst seasons for heat, and not only because of cold drinks.
The speech-language pathologist Nieves Martínez has spoken about the topic through her social networks, drawing attention by explaining how air conditioning directly affects our vocal cords and, most importantly, what we can do to avoid ending the summer with a throat that’s all but worn out.
Why does air conditioning leave us hoarse?
The main problem isn’t the temperature itself, but the lack of humidity. According to Nieves Martínez, “cold, dry air reduces the hydration of the vocal mucosa.” When this happens, our vocal cords suffer. “When the vocal cords aren’t lubricated, when they’re dry because the environment is dry, they vibrate less efficiently and require more effort to produce sound,” she explains.
This extra effort is what inevitably ends up causing irritation, vocal fatigue, and the well-known hoarseness. However, turning off the air isn’t always a viable option in the midst of July or August. That’s why the expert offers a series of ideas to help your throat.
The 5 keys from the expert to protect your voice this summer
To avoid worsening the damage caused by the dryness of the environment and to keep your throat safe without dying of heat in the attempt, the speech-language pathologist shares these five tips:
Water always on hand (and in small sips)
Don’t wait for your throat to go dry before drinking. The key is consistency: “Keep hydrated even if you aren’t thirsty. Take small sips,” advises Martínez.
Watch the direction of the air
Avoid at all costs standing right under or in front of the air outlet. “Avoid the direct blast of air” so that it doesn’t aggressively dry your mouth and laryngeal region.
Don’t raise the temperature too much
There’s no need to turn your home or office into “an ice rink.” The expert notes that the ideal temperatures for protecting your vocal health “should hover around 23, 24, 25 degrees.”
Use a humidifier
If you spend many hours in rooms with air conditioning, your great savior will be an ambient humidifier. In this way, you’ll compensate for the dryness of the environment by supplying the moisture your vocal cords need to “vibrate well.”
Don’t talk too much when it’s on
Speaking for hours in a dry environment is a high-risk combination, as the expert rightly says. “Avoid talking for long periods because with that dryness we’ll tire more,” warns the speech-language pathologist.
Be careful with abrupt temperature changes
In addition to these tips, Nieves Martínez takes the opportunity to demystify a very common belief: the cold from air conditioning isn’t what makes you sick. “Cold doesn’t cause colds; abrupt temperature changes are what weaken the immune system and make you more vulnerable to catching any cold or virus.”
But the immune system isn’t the only one that suffers from these contrasts. Suddenly moving from the 38-degree heat outside to the 20-degree temperature inside a shop or office triggers immediate stiffness in the neck and throat muscles. As you try to speak with that accrued tension, the voice suffers even more. The expert’s final recommendation is clear: Be careful when going from extreme heat to cold in a room with the air conditioning on. Try to balance it.
