In this fourth installment of the series, we are examining the Breather Voice made by PN Medical. Our recent tools have dealt with helping make phonation easier (Sing Ring by OOVO – Tool Time, and Vocal Trainer by Better Voice, Tool Time 3) and majorly diminishing sound output (Belt Box, Tool Time 2). This tool deals with increasing the ability of voice users to inhale and exhale air to increase respiratory function.
PN Medical states on their website that “We create cardiopulmonary devices, conduct research, and provide continuing education that is evidence-based and outcome-driven. We have a single purpose: to help millions of people sustain or reach their cardiopulmonary potential without pharmacologicals.” If you spend some time viewing their online information, you can find a history of the company tracing to 1980.
Disclaimer: this is not an advertisement, and I haven’t been paid to review this product. I just love looking for things that can help my students and myself sing better. I additionally was a part of a response trial for uses of the Breather Voice product
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What is the Breather Voice?
From their website, the “Breather Voice is an innovative respiratory muscle trainer, scientifically designed to provide an optimum range of resistance for the singer, professional speaker/actor, and wind/brass instrumentalist.” The tool is made of plastic and has two rotating dials to increase the resistance for inhalation from 1 to 6 and exhalation from a 1 to 5. There are two mouthpieces that are easily removable and replaceable. The goal of the tool is to train respiratory muscles through resistance training (think of the high elevation masks athletes use to train for events where it is harder to breathe). Their guide video discusses using diaphragmatic breathing and other training paradigms around posture and consistency to gain better results.
Their Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) revolves around using the Breather Voice to inhale for 2-3 seconds, hold, exhale 2-3 seconds, hold, and then repeat ten times in three sets. Of all the tools looked at in this series, this product is the first one to cite evidence from clinical studies to support the claims they make in regards to the improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory output and overall health. They also have a companion app that acts as a virtual trainer and journal for your use. It is a very simple item, but it comes with a bevy of extras including the free application, a hard carrying case, and both mouthpiece sizes.
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Does it do what it claims?
In my own empirical uses, I did notice an improvement in my breath cycle when using the Breather Voice as recommended. To be honest, I tend to get a bit overzealous and went straight for the highest resistance levels for both inhalation and exhalation. I will say that the exhalation side was not a problem at the highest level, but the inhalation side did take a couple days to get used to, and I did lower its intensity to ramp back up. I think for the amateur or early student, this tool would do wonders for understanding the breath cycle and getting better perception of how the muscles of respiration work. It could also be paired in tandem with some perception cues to make sure the muscles around the throat maintain ease and that the vocal tract is uninhibited.
Conclusion
The Breather Voice works! If you feel like you or your students/clients could use some general respiratory resistance training, I recommend this even beyond regular occlusion exercises. The ability to easily change resistances for both inhalation and exhalation can help guide the breath cycle. This tool would definitely help with finding that “operatic airflow.”
