Jack Wallen/ZDNET
ZDNET Highlights
- This VocalMist Portable Nebulizer It does a wonderful job of keeping your vocal cords healthy and hydrated, so you can sing or speak with ease.
- This device works with isotonic saline so it puts less pressure on your vocal folds to produce sound.
- It’s available now on VocalMist’s website for $118.00, which isn’t cheap, but well worth it.
Thanks to a constant stream of dry heat, this time of year never fails to wreak havoc on my voice. No matter how much water I drink (and I drink a lot), my voice, mouth and throat are always dry. This causes problems in many of my tasks. I have experienced dry throat so badly, I have had to postpone meetings, filming videos and other events.
It’s never good. Not only does this frustrate the people who would be involved, but it also puts me in a back-and-forth situation, where I get busier than ever. Drinking plenty of water is, of course, key. And humidifiers can also help the situation. But what happens when you find yourself on a stage giving a presentation or in a meeting room that could cause you to have vocal problems?
I have found a solution for this, and it is called VocalMist.
Check out Myvocalmist
I have taught voice at the university level. I have been an actor for thirty years and a singer for almost a decade. I’ve tried every home remedy for voice you can imagine. Tea, honey, lemon…even wine. Tea, I understand (specifically Throat Coat). But honey is sticky and both the lemon and the alcohol work against what you want them to do. The only real “home remedy” is drinking plenty of water. Keeping yourself properly hydrated will go a long way in helping your voice.
But sometimes, even proper hydration is not enough. For example, during this time of year, my allergies tend to flare up, causing gunk in my throat. Sometimes it’s all I can do to clear my throat and speak properly (and singing through it is another story).
So, one morning when I was researching the healthiest way to deal with the problem of dry winter air and the resulting damage from allergy attacks, I came across VocalMist.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
I’ve only been using the VocalMist Portable Nebulizer for a week but the results have been so amazing, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share what I’ve experienced.
As I mentioned, I’m preparing to play a bucket list role in a musical that I’ve been dreaming about since the 80s. I’ve been working a lot on music that I had to make during my recovery days for my voice. Also, the dry heat and allergies that come with this time of year are causing me serious problems.
When my VocalMist arrived, you can bet I was raring to give it a go. Once it was fully charged, I opened an ampoule of saline, poured it in, capped the device, put on the large mask, and turned the device on.
After 10 minutes (which is how long the nebulizer lasts in each session), I started working on the music. Until today, I had never experienced such a relaxed larynx. My mouth was making sounds that I had never heard before. It was almost easy. After about 2 hours of singing, my voice didn’t feel as tired as it would have otherwise.
After just one session, I was sold.
I got the same results when recording videos. Instead of struggling to get through them (in my overly dry basement filming studio), I had no problem with my voice.
It was like magic… only it wasn’t because it was science.
How it works
VocalMist is a small, portable nebulizer used by singers, public speakers, and anyone with common respiratory problems. The device works with isotonic saline to lower phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and perception of phonatory effort (PPE), so it takes less pressure on your vocal folds to produce sound. Ultimately, this means less stress and less swelling during singing or public speaking endeavors. VocalMist is used not only before singing or speaking, but also after (for faster recovery times).
It is very important that you understand that the only fluid you should use with such a product is sterile isotonic saline. You can buy saline ampoules from VocalMist or Amazon but it is important that you follow this order. Remember, you’re inhaling the nebulized vapor into your lungs, so follow the directions to a tee.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
It is easy. If you are a singer, public speaker, or just suffer from dry mouth/throat, VocalMist Portable Nebulizer should be considered a must.
However, keep in mind that nothing can replace proper hydration and vocal technique (either singing or speaking). But if plenty of water and solid technique aren’t enough during these drier months of the year, this little tool can make a big difference.
Credit : www.zdnet.com
