There is always one in the group; the person whose voice seems to always be decibel levels louder than everyone else’s. Pssst…is that person you?
Everyone wants to be heard, but raising your voice isn’t always the best approach. Perhaps you don’t even realize your voice is getting to hearing protection levels until someone “shushes” you, or you get the “keep it down” glare from your co-workers.
Here are a few tips to help you keep your voice at listening level:
Control your environment.
Do your best to change the elements in your environment which may cause you to increase the volume of your voice. For example, get rid of exterior noise by closing windows and doors.
Move closer to the person or people you are talking to.
(Be sure to take personal space into account, as well proper social distancing.) Standing too far away from your audience, the more likely you will feel the need to raise your voice to fill the void.
Enlist the help of someone else.
It can be difficult to hear yourself. Ideally you could hire a coach to be an outside ear. They can assess your volume and your needs, then lead you through some exercises which will help you learn how to control your voice. If this is not an option for you, ask a friend to give you feedback. Give them permission to point out when you raise your voice. When they do point it out, don’t get angry. Remember that they are trying to help you.
Vary your volume level.
Creating variety in your volume will allow you to be more conscious of your volume and see the effect on your listener. Examples, try speaking at almost a whisper or try raising your volume only on the word you would like to emphasize.
Get your hearing tested.
Speaking too loudly can be a sign of hearing loss. Other signs of hearing loss are difficulty hearing when there is a lot of background noise, and understanding what people are saying with clarity. If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your physician and get your hearing checked.
