Peter Whyte is a lecturer in Gurteen Agricultural College, Co Tipperary, who has made a particular study of dysphonia or voice loss. It's quite a common occurrence among those who use their voices for work and Whyte got interested in the subject when he experienced voice problems himself.

"I undertook a research project into dysphonia and my hope is that my experience might be of benefit to others," he says. "I think it's important to stress that left untreated it is potentially a very serious problem which could end someone's career."

Whyte has prepared an extensive fact sheet on dysphonia, the main points of which are summarised below. Copies are available from him at (067) 21237 or on his website at http://indigo.ie/ pwhyte The symptoms of dysphonia include: chronic sore throat, increasing with voice use and decreasing with rest or sleep; a feeling of tightness or a lump in your throat; a dry cough; your voice breaking; loss of voice.

The causes include: irritation of the throat by infection, tobacco smoke, dust, fumes, dry/stuffy air, shouting, or alcohol; poor vocal habits picked up over time or during laryngitis; speaking too fast or at too high or low a pitch; stress, tension or emotional upset; talking loudly across distances or over noise.

Things to avoid are: speaking when you have laryngitis or a throat infection; going back to work after illness sooner than advised by your doctor; coughing to clear your throat - sip water instead; shouting over noise - switch off, move somewhere quieter, attract attention by speaking softly; bad posture - stand straight but relaxed, head high, shoulders down and back.