Sound Matters! Weblog

In the world of music, the iPod is still the hottest MP3 player on the block. The little white earbuds that come with the iPod are a nearly ubiquitous sight on the bus, the gym, and around town. But this little status symbol could be creating a generation that will experience hearing loss after a decade of use.

 Although there is no current evidence directly linking iPods with hearing loss, current available research does show that high noise levels over a period of time cause permanent hearing loss. The problem with iPods is that the earbud style headphones don’t block outside noise, forcing listeners to turn up the volume. Since iPods are so convenient to use, and so discreet (the device can easily be tucked into a pocket), people are using them more often. This combination of frequent use and increased volume could eventually cause permanent hearing loss.

 So, should you get rid of your iPod? In reality, that it is probably unlikely. Instead, here are four tips to remember while using your iPod. 

• Limit the amount of time that you use the device. Set personal limits of one hour a day.

• Keep the volume down to 65-70 decibels, which is the level of normal conversation.

• Invest in noise-canceling earphones. Although these earphones are expensive, they are worth it because they limit the amount of background noise and allow you to keep the volume down.

• Don’t allow your kids to have an iPod. If they already have one, limit the use and monitor the loudness level. If you can hear their music from a few feet away, the volume is too high.

 Our current infatuation with iPods is likely to increase rather than decrease since just about anything can be downloaded directly to this tiny device. But if you can restrict the amount of time you spend using an iPod and incorporate more traditional forms of listening, your ears will thank you and you’ll enjoy healthy listening for a long time!

So you want to use this article on your website or your own eNewsletter? You certainly may but you MUST include the following information:

Lynda Stucky, author of these articles is a expert on the speech and voice skills of busy executives.To receive weekly how-to tips on speech and voice tips in the workplace (100 words or less), visit http://www.clearly-speaking.com/

In my area of the country (Pittsburgh, PA), we have a very special way of talking.  People born and raised here have an unusual accent known as “Pittsburghese.” I am frequently asked to eliminate Pittsburghese with mid level and senior level executives.  People who are not from this area instantly hear this accent and detect differences that include:

• word and phrase substitutions;
• inaccurate vowel pronunciation; and
• use of non-standard grammar.

One of the most obvious hallmarks of Pittsburghese is the way the vowel /ow/ is pronounced. This particular vowel is actually two vowels that glide together to make a new sound called a diphthong. In this case, the two vowels are /ah/ as in “pot” and /o/ as in “joke.” Say the two vowels slowly and you will make the /ow/ sound as in “out.” In Pittsburghese, the second sound is omitted so the word “down” sounds like “dahn.”

People who pronounce this sound incorrectly are viewed with a skeptical eye.  Here are three reasons:

• It is not a standard form of pronunciation.
• It sounds “uneducated”
• It can confuse the listener.

How do you know if you are pronouncing the sound as it should be pronounced? Try this:

1. Record yourself slowly saying: “How about going down town?”
   When you play back your recording, do you hear one or two vowel sounds in the pronunciation of /ow/?
2. Watch yourself in the mirror to see your mouth open and then round as it glides to the second half of the vowel.
3. If you feel like you cannot evaluate your own skills, ask someone you trust who will give you honest feedback.

Here are some other interesting words and expressions that are spoken by a Pittsburgher with Pittsburghese. 

1. Instead of saying the filler, “you know,” or “and stuff,” a Pittsburgher says, “n’at” (“and that”) after his/her sentences (e.g., “We’re goin to see the Stillers, n’at.”)
2. Yes, a long “e” is frequently pronounced with a short “i” as in bit.  So Steelers=Stillers.  And are we ever proud of our Stillers!!
3.  Rubber bands are called “gumbands.”
4.  Being “nebby” means you are nosey.
5.  “Chip, chop ham”= chipped ham
6.  “yinz” is equivalent to “you” or “you all” (e.g., “Yinz gotta be rilly nebby to be a Picksburger”.)
7.  Omission of the verb “to be” (e.g., “Yinz car rilly needs warshed.”  Yes, there is an /r/ insertion, too.)
8.  Did you eat yet? = Jeet jet?  (There are banners in our mall at the food court that have this phrase on them.) 
9.  Jaggin=bugging someone (e.g., “Quit jaggin me.”)
10.   Axed=asked (e.g., “I axed you a question.”)

There is something slightly charming about the regional accent (aren’t we unique??), but it certainly is not appropriate in an executive’s setting.  Since habits sometimes die hard, it does take some practice to eliminate this way of speaking but with time and persistence, it is possible.

I wonder if people would spend more money at the grocery store if the voice of the automatic teller (”Welcome, your card has been scanned.”) was another voice?

People respond more favorably to certain types of voices, speech patterns and communication styles.  I can imagine that some people would really enjoy hearing a sexy, breathy greeting from Marilyn Monroe or the deep, melting voice of Barry White.  Maybe the intellectuals would love to hear the captivating voices of Walter Cronkite or Tom Brokaw.  I know there would be plenty of Steelers fans going to hear the shrill voice of the late Myron Cope (“Howdy, that’s a double Yoi!, your card has been scanned.”).  Maybe in other parts of the country, some sports-types would like to hear the voice of Greg Gumbel.

A poll was taken on this very topic once and the voice of Don LaFontaine won as the appealing voice people want to hear! (“In a world where groceries need to be scanned, welcome!”)  If you don’t know who he is, think about the voice that does most previews to movies.

Since everyone might feel differently about who sounds better and who is worth spending more time at the cashier and consequently, worth spending more money at the grocery store, I think stores should offer choices for us to go to with at least five different voices.  The name of each voice is visible on the sign above and shoppers pick which cashier they want to go to.  Doing a little market research, the grocery store could determine which voice is the most popular.  For their demographics, which line do people spend the most money?  This could be a goldmine for the grocery store!  Let’s get busy making a positive worthwhile change.  Who would you like to hear next time you go to the store? 

Posted by Lynda Stucky clearly-speaking.com

You know you have a speaking problem at work when…..   Here is the Top Ten List that indicates you may need some help developing your speaking skills in the work place. 

 1.    You hear yourself on tape and you refuse to believe that it is you speaking.

Believe it or not, the way you hear yourself on tape is the real you!  When you hear yourself speaking from within yourself, you are hearing the vibrations of sound vibrate off of the bony structures of your head.  It sounds different when you hear your voice “outside of yourself” on a tape-recorder.

 2.    People mistake you for the wrong age and the wrong sex.

If this is happening to you, you are probably speaking with the wrong pitch!

 3.    You have to repeat yourself more than once or twice a day.

You might have a diction problem (mumbling), loudness problem (too soft) or a strong accent that makes you hard to understand.

 4.    Your speech has caused people to laugh.

Not a good thing at all!  Hope this never happens to you.  It could be a problem with nasality (too much) so you sound like you are talking through your nose.

 5.    Your speech interferes with social or career mobility.

This happens quite frequently since people climbing the corporate ladder are usually asked to spend more time in the public eye.  Employers want a polished-looking representative of their company.

 6.    You’ve received negative feedback somewhere.

Did you ever give a speech and your written feedback was that people couldn’t hear you or understand you?  That’s a miserable feeling if you receive this kind of feedback.  After all, I’m sure you spent a lot of time working on your speech.

 7.    You avoid speaking in front of a group because you fear it.

An easy solution to feeling comfortable speaking in front of a group is to get in front of a group more often!  The best place to do that is at a Toastmasters Club (most cities have them) where the purpose is to practice speaking in front of groups.  Everyone is in the same boat as you!

 8.    People can tell where you are from by your regional accent.

Being identified by your regional accent isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  However, some regional accents have a negative image and make the speaker sound uneducated.  How is the accent of your region perceived?

 9.    Your voice tires during the day or you lose your voice completely.

Not a good sign if you lose your voice completely.  You may be harming your vocal cords by speaking too frequently, too loudly, or at the wrong pitch.  Taking care of your vocal cords is essential for good vocal hygiene especially if you are dependent on your voice to make a living!

 10.  You emotions show through your voice.

What pushes your hot buttons and how do you do talking about these issues in public?  Employees in the public eye need to be careful about showing their emotions in public.  Many company spokespersons need to pass this test before being put in front of a camera.  Learning voice control techniques is the key to this skill and of course, it takes practice! 

If you had only a quick amount of time to study the democratic candidates and then vote for your favorite, you would base your decision on the way the candidate sounds and looks.  Who would you vote for between Clinton and Obama based on the way that each one sounds? 

I believe that most Americans will vote for their favorite candidate based on a deeper picture and understanding of the candidates’ belief systems and strategies.  But there are probably a number of people who don’t get into politics like others. They choose a candidate based on some other quirky reason that has nothing to do with the individual’s politics: the candidate comes from their home state, the candidate has a cool name, the candidate looks like a good friend, the candidate shook my hand, etc.  Why wouldn’t there be some people who vote for the one who sounds the best? The way a person sounds adds to the charisma factor.

I think both candidates offer their own unique communication style.  Whether you are a democrat or a republican, if you had to choose which one would it be?

www.clearly-speaking.com