I work in what’s called a marketing department but effectively it’s a call center. I’m on the phone eight hours a day, taking call after call, doing not much else. Somewhere I remember hearing that a job like this will put a lot of strain on one’s voice, since when you’re talking on the phone you form your vocal cords differently than when you’re speaking normally. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m curious. I’ve also heard that you’re supposed to avoid coffee when you’re doing such a job, but I don’t.
I’ve been doing this for six years without much in the way of problems. However, last week I threw my voice out singing karaoke, and I haven’t been able to talk for more than an hour without my voice giving out. I’m speaking in a gravelly rasp right now. I’ll be okay after lunch, but that will wear off shortly, no doubt.
The logical thing to do would be to quit my job, and I’m very keen to do that anyway, because I really, really hate it. Sometimes I almost miss that old dishwashing job I had back in college. Almost. Another year of this and I might just wind up going back to my first “career.” Sometimes I wonder if this might be psychosomatic, like my recent back pain. I mean, my aunt was a telephone operator for thirty years, and she didn’t harm herself, as far as I can tell.
Until I can figure out how to transfer from here to some kind of teaching gig, I’m going to have to take these damned phone calls. Should I get out sooner, though, for the sake of my voice? Could I be causing permanent damage this way? I know I should see a doctor soon, but everyone knows that the best place to get medical advice is on an internet message board, so I’m coming here.
Luckily I get to leave early today, so I probably won’t be able to get back to any replies until tomorrow. But any information on this would be appreciated. And if anyone can transfer large amounts of cash to my bank account to ensure that I no longer have to work, I’d appreciate it even more. (Email me for details about that.)
