World Voice Day
Next: April 16, 2027
Look after the voice you love.
The story
Where it comes from
World Voice Day began in Brazil in 1999 as the Brazilian National Voice Day, the idea of doctors, speech-language pathologists and singing teachers in the Brazilian Society of Laryngology and Voice, then led by Dr Nedio Steffen. Argentina, Portugal and other countries followed, and it grew into an international day. In 2002 the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery recognised it, and that year it took the name World Voice Day. Its aim is to make people aware of how much the voice matters, and to spot voice problems early.
How it's celebrated
Doctors, speech therapists, voice scientists and singing teachers hold lectures, workshops and concerts, which are listed on the World Voice Day website, and a theme is chosen each year. At home, it is a day to look after your own voice: drink water through the day, rest it when it feels tired, and move closer to people instead of shouting over noise.
Did you know
- Voice scientists estimate that the voice is a key working tool for about 30 per cent of the working population.
- Teachers, coaches, singers, broadcasters and fitness instructors are at higher risk of voice problems because they speak loudly or for long periods.
- Hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks should be checked by a professional.
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