Expressing needs and opinions, giving orders, shouting, making phone calls, singing, acting, preaching....these are just few of the tasks the voice carries out on a daily basis. It is the smallest instrument in the world and is often taken for granted by everyone until one goes hoarse or even worse loses his voice. Studies show that 29% of the population are bound to suffer a voice problem sometime in their lifetime with more than 5% having recurrent problems.  There is a higher prevalence for women and for professionals whose work is reliant on voice, such as teachers. People with frequent allergies, asthma, colds and sinus infections as well as acid reflux problems are also more prone to develop a voice problem.

The most common cause of hoarseness is vocal cord nodules, followed by swelling (oedema), polyps, vocal cord paralysis and carcinoma. World Voice Day is celebrated on 16 April to increase awareness about the beauty of this instrument and the importance of care of the voice. The Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (ASLP) joins hundreds of entities worldwide to celebrate this day. For this purpose they produced a short video clip, thanks to Small Initiative Schemes funds (SIS), to increase awareness of all the tasks the voice carries out. The speech-language pathologist plays a very important role in the rehabilitation and care of the voice. Voice therapy is crucial to help a person learn how to use the voice in a healthy manner.

Norma Camilleri, the National Coordinator for World Voice Day, tells us that events to mark this special day are on the increase in Malta with three voice seminars being held on 16 April. The Johann Strauss School of Music are holding their second edition of such a seminar at the same school in Hamrun from 9am to 12:00pm, which will include a voice masterclass. Vocal Booth Studios will be holding their first seminar at St. Joseph Institute between 9:00 and 3pm where practical workshops and interactive vocal activities will be held.  Also in the afternoon, the Maria Abdilla Voice Studio will be holding an event, "If you can Speak ... then you can Sing", at Santa Lucia Parish Hall, where there will be fun singing activities for all the family. For more information visit the Facebook page World Voice Day - Malta events.