Editing Vocal loading (section)

== Effect of speaking environment ==

Several studies in vocal loading show that the speaking environment does have a significant impact on vocal loading. Still, the exact details are debated.  Most scientists agree on the effect of the following environmental properties:

* ''air humidity'' - dry air is thought to increase the stress experienced in the vocal folds, however, this has not been proven
* ''hydration'' - dehydration may increase effects of stress inflicted on the vocal folds
* ''background noise'' - people tend to speak louder when background noise is present, even when it isn't necessary. Increasing speaking volume increases stress inflicted on the vocal folds
* ''pitch'' - Using a higher or lower pitch than normal will also increase laryngeal stress. 
* ''voice quality'' - Using a vocal quality which differs from that habitually used is thought to increase laryngeal stress. 
<ref>Fujiki, RB & Sivasankar, MP (2016) A Review of Vocal Loading Tasks in the Voice Literature, Journal of Voice, In Press DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2016.09.019</ref>

In addition, smoking and other types of air pollution might have a negative effect on voice production organs.