In old movies of the 1930s, once-popular depictions reflecting the interaction of breathing and speaking involved either dramatic scenes of family straining to hear the last, soft, poignant words uttered haltingly by the film’s heroine, or a strong, confident hero leaping to his feet and enthusiastically and boldly calling his comrades to action.

The Link between Breath and Speech

In fact, our volume and rate of speech are very dependent on respiration (the way we breathe), which, in turn, relies on our general health and stamina. The human vocal folds serve not only as instruments of phonation (the production of sound), but, just as importantly, as a valve opening and closing over our trachea (windpipe) and lungs.

We speak on exhalation, and the longer our inhalation, the more words we can produce clearly as we breathe out. In addition, the deeper we breathe in, the more force, or louder, we can project our voice. Proper upright posture and alignment of our trunk, neck and head facilitates efficient respiration and clear and audible phonation.

A Simple Breathing Exercise

You can enhance your speech by establishing optimal breathing habits, such as those practiced in the ancient Tai Chi and Hatha Yoga postures, or in the more modern Feldenkrais methods and Alexander techniques. For the average person, here is a simple exercise you can do anywhere to improve speech breathing:

1. Sit in a comfortable, straight-backed chair with your shoulders aligned above your hips.

2. Place your hands right below your ribs, gently in contact with your stomach.

3. Breathe in and feel your diaphragm (just above your stomach) and lungs expand, to the count of 3.

4. Breathe out and feel your diaphragm and lungs deflate, also to the count of 3.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4, increasing the count to 5.

6. Repeat steps 3 and 4, increasing the count to 10.

Medical Conditions Affecting Breath and Speech

It is also important to note that certain medical conditions may interfere with breathing and speaking, including allergies, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, laryngitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and upper respiratory infections. A pulmonologist or otolaryngologist may refer someone whose speech has become weak, hoarse or breathy to a speech-language pathologist for restorative exercises.

To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.

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