Human Voice is The Most Perfect Instrument of All: Arvo Pärt

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Chandigarh 15^th April:- A healthy voice is imperative for effective communication. Globally more than 7% of the population suffers from voice disorders. In India, the prevalence rate is around 8 % of the total population. Voice problems may range from change in voice to complete inability to speak. It could be either functional or organic. A voice disorder exists when a person's quality, pitch, and loudness differ from those of similar age, gender, cultural background, and geographic location. Patients should be concerned when there is persistent vocal quality change including breathiness, hoarseness or complete loss of voice. Other symptoms also include a persistent 'funny' feeling or pain in the larynx, persistent feeling that the voice is "stuck" in the throat, vocal fatigue and persistent pitch breaks. PGIMER, being a premiere institute in medical education, research and patient care, caters to the medical needs of patients from almost five states of Northern India. The number of patients visiting ENT OPD at PGI is on an average 600 per day with various ENT ailments, out of which 8 to 10 patients per day are diagnosed with voice disorders. The total number of patients with voice disorders has increased tremendously over the period of time probably due to the life style modifications. Most of the voice disorders are preventable through appropriate awareness and public education programs. There are many ways in which people can conserve their voice and prevent the development of voice disorders, including keeping hydrated, minimizing activities causing vocal strain such as yelling, warming up before heavy vocal use, using appropriate breath support, using amplification, and paying attention to voice cues; and Management of voice disorders involves a team of professionals such as ENT Specialist, Speech Language Pathologist and Psychologist. Recent advances in voice diagnostics and therapeutics have been a boon to people seeking remedy for changes in their voice.

In recognition of World Voice Day, an international celebration of the human voice established to help raise public and professional awareness about voice disorders, which falls on 16^th of April every year, the Otolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons, Speech Language Pathologists and other Vocal Health Professionals worldwide join together to create awareness among general Public to assess their vocal health and to maintain good voice habits. Around 46 countries have come together to create awareness among general public. The  Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, PGIMER, will observe the World Voice Day for the fifth time, by organizing a camp for students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Kharar, Mohali, on 15^th April, 2017 and an Open Day with exhibits, Street plays for public awareness and free voice assessment clinic, will be held for the general public at the Speech and Hearing Unit, ENT OPD from 9 am to 1 pm, on 18^th of April 2016. This will provide awareness and knowledge on voice and related problems, preventive measures for voice care to the general public and especially to the populations at risk for voice problems such as children and professional voice users.