World Voice Day (16/04)

April 16 is a holiday, the name of which initially evokes associations on the topic of human vocal abilities. We are talking about World Voice Day. In fact, this holiday, the idea to celebrate which appeared in the late 1990s, is dedicated to the phenomenon of the human voice and its role in people's lives.

The initiator of the establishment of the international holiday was the American Academy of Otolaryngology. In Russia, they joined the celebration of the Day in 2006.

The goal of establishing International Voice Day – is to attract the attention of medical specialists, as well as all people on Earth, to the phenomenon of the human voice – gift, allowing people to communicate, express their emotions and feelings, delight with the beauty of their sound, etc.

Traditionally, on April 16, in honor of the holiday, various events are held with the participation of medical specialists whose specialization is directly or indirectly related to maintaining human voice health, preventing and treating diseases of the vocal apparatus. Seminars, lectures and symposia bring together doctors, both at regional and international level, allowing for the exchange of experience. Phoniatrists, otorhinolaryngologists, neurologists, and endocrinologists take part in them.

Individual events (open days and concerts) are held by representatives of professions where voice plays a key role: announcers, television and radio presenters, actors, singers, journalists and others. Thus, the ambassador of International Voice Day in Russia in 2015 was opera singer Svetlana Feodulova –, the owner of the highest voice in the world.

Medical specialists and professionals whose work and vocation are related to the voice apparatus tirelessly repeat that in order to preserve the voice and prevent diseases of the voice apparatus, it is first necessary to adhere to simple (basic) rules of a healthy lifestyle. Among the main reasons causing voice problems, they cite bad habits (primarily – smoking), as well as neglect to prevent colds and stressful situations.

An indispensable participant in events dedicated to International Voice Day in Russia is the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of Otorhinolaryngology of Russia.

Among the most interesting and unusual methods of realizing the importance of voice in everyday life is a method proposed by British specialists and called the «Hour of Silence», when during everyday activity or work it is proposed to stop using the voice for one hour and try to solve all questions, problems that have arisen during this time and problems without using it.



• Infographics – poster «April 16 — World Voice Day» • Story «Voice missing»

1825