[3 min read]
In this article:
- Cheering for your team is what makes being a fan fun. And this weekend, Seattle Seahawks fans around the country get loud as the team plays for a berth in football's biggest game.
- Cheering for hours puts a strain on your vocal chords, and can leave you with a sore throat and raspy voice.
- A Providence Swedish speech and language expert has some tips to help you cheer on the Hawks without putting your vocal chords on injured reserve.
When the Seattle Seahawks take the field this Sunday for the divisional championship, one thing is guaranteed: the cheering will be loud. From Lumen Field to living rooms and bars across the Puget Sound, fans will be shouting, chanting, and celebrating every big play. But all that yelling can take a toll on your voice, sometimes leaving fans hoarse or barely able to speak the next day.
According to Olivia Goodell, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech pathologist at Providence Swedish, hours of cheering put real strain on the vocal cords. “When fans cheer for hours, their vocal cords are being overused in a tense posture,” Goodell explains. “This causes the vocal cord muscles to fatigue or become irritated and swollen.”
That swelling is why many fans wake up sounding raspy after a big game. “The muscles of the vocal cords have been overused and can become swollen,” Goodell says. “It’s similar to when you sprain your ankle. The swelling limits movement, and the same thing happens with your voice.”
One of the most common mistakes fans make is trying to force their voices to be louder by tightening their throats.
“People tend to squeeze the muscles in their throat to make their voices loud,” Goodell notes. “Instead, it’s better to take a deep breath and use increased airflow to project your voice.” Supporting your voice with breath rather than tension can help reduce strain.
Hydration also plays a big role in keeping your voice healthy on game day. “Hydration is incredibly beneficial for the throat,” Goodell says. “It keeps the vocal cords more elastic and flexible.” She recommends limiting caffeine and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration or increase acid reflux, both of which can irritate the vocal cords.
How to protect and recover your voice
If you wake up the next morning with a raspy voice or pain in your throat, rest is key. “Rest your voice and drink hydrating fluids,” Goodell advises.
For fans who need their voice for work the next day, gentle recovery techniques can help. “Gentle humming, blowing bubbles with a straw into a couple inches of water, and staying well hydrated can support recovery without adding strain,” she says.
While temporary hoarseness after a big game is common, ongoing voice issues should not be ignored. “You should seek further evaluation from an ENT if hoarseness lasts more than four to six weeks without a clear trigger (e.g. illnesses, cheering), or if your voice frequently becomes hoarse with use,” Goodell says.
Cheering on the Seahawks is part of what makes the playoff season exciting. With a few smart strategies, fans can bring the energy, protect their voice, and still sound like themselves long after the final whistle.
Go Hawks!
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician
Our dedicated team at Swedish Audiology Services in First Hill offers a full range of treatments for hearing-related problems and disorders for everyone from infants to seniors. Our speech-language pathologists offer services that include the evaluation and treatment of voice, swallowing, motor speech and fluency disorders.
The experts at Swedish Otolaryngology – Ballard understand that ear, nose and throat conditions can affect your ability to breathe, communicate, eat, sleep and complete other daily activities. Our team of clinicians offers advanced, evidence-based care to diagnose and treat you, and help you improve your quality of life.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. You can also connect virtually with your provider to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
Additional resources
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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
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