Please help - I keep loosing my voice.

[VorpalSword]

I could really do with some advice / wise words about this.

Every time I get a cold then I lose my voice completely. I don’t get a sore throat, my vocal cords just stop working. If I touch my throat there is no vibration there.

I had covid just before Christmas and it was 10 days before my voice came back. This time I have a cold, this is now day 3 of no voice.

I’m a teacher so need my voice. So far my voice loss is during the holidays but at some point it will happen when I am supposed to be working.

Is there anything I can do to stop this happening, do I need to see my gp?

I have seen my gp more in the last year than any other time, apart from pregnancy, as some blood tests for perimenopause showed up some funny results that are still being investigated so I’m reluctant to add more.

I am really getting fed up with this, and I am catastrophising in my head -what if one time my voice just doesn’t come back? Especially given my throat is not sore.

I’m worried that will burn any remaining good will bridges! But I might contact them for advice and a heads up. There isn’t a rep at my school so probably wouldn’t be able to come to the meeting.

Good call at least to alert them.

Do you have an occupational health hcp even if not on site? Your manager should refer you tbh once sickness has become a longer issue than a few days, they then will look at your situation and advise your manager on what steps they should be taking to support you and assist with a phased rtw plan.

I have asked to be referred to OH, HR aren’t the quickest with this, often take months to get around to it, etc… so I am not sure that will be much help.

Sorry I’m sounding very negative!

You don't, you sound very reasonable. Your manager should've automatically done this without you requesting. If you don't hear from OH soon, contact them they should be the ones supporting you and coming up with a workable plan.

I emailed HR again today as I hadn’t heard anything from them (emailed on Thursday -not expecting much detail but a holding email acknowledging they had received it.

My voice is a lot better so I am cautiously optimistic but still want support to be put in lace before term restarts.

Crossing fingers that this is the start of a reliable voice for you - and that support will definitely be part of that.

I hate to be a rabble rouser but your manager is really letting you down here, they should be liaising with OH directly and keeping you informed regarding a meeting to discuss support and reasonable adjustments to assist your graduated rtw.

I'm so pleased for you that you're feeling some improvement voice wise though. What a relief!

HR have replied. Meeting arranged for Friday so will see what they say then.

Good. Go in with a plan for what is reasonable and doable. So, say half days for a couple of weeks with lessons for a couple of hours and review, keep to morning teaching only with admin to prevent strain and being back to square one.

I know it'll be hard if you feel your colleagues are having to pick up anything you're unable to, but keep reminding yourself that is your manager/Head teacher's fault not yours, they should get a supply in. Put your health and well being first.

So nervous about tomorrow. I will definitely ask for the headset but I don’t know what is reasonable or needed to ask for in regards the partial return. I have never done anything like this before!

I don't have much to contribute but as a fellow teacher who has been losing their voice more and more recently I can empathise. Does your school have access to a soundfield system? We use it for pupils who have hearing problems but it is essentially a microphone that you wear round your neck that transmits to a speaker at the front of the classroom amplifying your voice. It might be a good option for you when you return.

Today’s inset went really well (though I did hide in the toilet during the break to avoid the social part!) School is being really supportive and it was all a lot better than I expected.

I am absolutely exhausted tonight though.

Well done though, must've been daunting and challenging. Did you meet with OH and come up with a plan?

HR have said they don’t need OH as they have enough information from the consultant.

OK well obviously up to you but with an ongoing issue OH should be directly involved as your support in the workplace, yes HR have info from your consultant but it is OH that should liaise with your manager regarding rtw plans and reviews. If you're happy, great but if they get pushy do go to OH for support.

@VorpalSword how's it going this week?

I’ve been back at work this week - using a headset microphone in classes. It is working well, my voice is very very quiet by the end of the day but not sore so I’m happy. It has been tiring though so early nights for me!

Well done! Yes i bet you're exhausted.

I'm so pleased for you that you're back to.work, with adjustments and things are going well. It's been so hard for you but your patience is paying off. Hope things keep getting better

Thank you - this thread has been very helpful. It has been a tough week for other reasons and I am absolutely shattered now!