Vocal apparatus
When speaking, air is pushed from the lungs through the larynx.
Healthy voice with optimal humidity
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Benefits
An optimal humidity level between 40% and 60% protects the mucous membranes of the vocal apparatus and thus prevents hoarseness, coughing and loss of voice.
Fewer vocal problems
Controlled humidity protects the voice from hoarseness and inflammation.
Improved performance
Consistent voice quality and call quality enhance performance.
Employer of choice
Workplace health promotion makes employers attractive.
Healthy voice with optimal humidity
Dry air strains the throat and larynx
Dry air is particularly unpleasant and dangerous for professions and activities that place intense strain on the voice. All too often, the direct link to the indoor climate is not recognised. Dryness in the throat and larynx, throat clearing and the urge to cough are always the first warning signs. Prolonged exposure can even lead to inflammation or chronic voice disorders. At the latest when the voice sounds hoarse and disappears completely, performance is impaired.
To maintain good voice function and prevent voice disorders, it is therefore necessary to keep the mucous membranes sufficiently moisturised. For activities involving intensive voice strain – for example, lecturers or singers, in call centres or in customer service – a minimum air humidity of 40% is recommended.
To maintain good voice function and prevent voice disorders, it is therefore necessary to keep the mucous membranes sufficiently moisturised. For activities involving intensive voice strain – for example, lecturers or singers, in call centres or in customer service – a minimum air humidity of 40% is recommended.
Humidity protects the voice
A variety of factors contribute to the development of voice disorders: in addition to individual causes (e.g. poor speaking technique), humidity also has a decisive influence on the voice: sufficient moisturisation of the mucous membranes is necessary for good voice function and the prevention of voice disorders: When we speak, air is pushed from the lungs through the larynx. The vocal cords vibrate and, like the strings of a guitar, produce sounds. If the air humidity is too low, the mucous membranes of the vocal cords lose their optimal moisture and thus their elasticity. After inhalation, the glottis can no longer be completely closed by the vocal folds. Side air enters the vocal apparatus, causing irritation, inflammation and, in the worst case, loss of voice.
Humidity improves voice performance
Studies show that over 60% of employees in call centres or customer service departments suffer from voice strain. Speech therapists and voice coaches know that symptoms of dry air, such as throat clearing and coughing, distract listeners from the content of the conversation and significantly disrupt communication with the customer. This can result in a loss of call quality and lower conversion rates. In addition, voice disorders are also associated with absenteeism: respiratory diseases, which include hoarseness and laryngitis, are one of the main causes of sick leave in call centres and result in high costs and loss of productivity. By retrofitting air humidification systems, companies can make a significant contribution to improving health and call quality.
Larynx
The mucous membrane of the larynx requires constant optimal humidity.
Vocal folds
The air flowing from the lungs causes the vocal folds to vibrate and produce sounds – like the strings of a guitar.
Glottis
If the air is too dry, the glottis cannot be completely closed after inhalation due to the vocal folds and vocal cords. Side air enters the vocal apparatus, causing throat clearing, coughing or loss of voice.
Vocal cords
If the air humidity is too low, the mucous membranes of the vocal folds and vocal cords lose their elasticity. The glottis then no longer closes completely.
Vocal problems are beneficial in many industries and applications
Discover Condair in action
Sparkasse Mainfranken, Würzburg
Sparkasse Mainfranken Würzburg is one of the top savings banks in Germany. Since 2014, humidification at the Karlstadt branch has been ensuring an optimal indoor climate.
JURA Kommunikations-Center, Nürnberg (Germany)
JURA Elektrogeräte Vertriebs-GmbH has been located in Nuremberg since 1987. 362 days a year, 30 employees are available in shifts for end customers and specialist dealers and advise and support them on all questions about fully automatic Jura machines and accessories.
Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin (Germany)
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is a federal institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health. In 2016, the RKI moved into a new four-storey laboratory and office building with an area of around 60,000 m2. There, for example, influenza experts from the RKI prepare weekly situation reports, examine which flu viruses are circulating and check the effectiveness of flu vaccinations.
Laverana GmbH&Co. KG, Hannover (Germany)
In the converted Laverana headquarters of the natural cosmetics manufacturer, it is shown how optimal air humidity and the natural materials used in the building can ensure a very special feel-good climate.
Jungheinrich Service&Parts AG&Co. KG, Kaltenkirchen (Germany)
In order to optimally meet the air quality requirements in the open-plan office worlds, Jungheinrich is using an additional direct room air humidification system at the Kaltenkirchen spare parts centre. The result is a high level of employee satisfaction and more health protection.
Thomann GmbH (Call centre), Treppendorf (Germany)
In the call centre of Thomann GmbH, additional air humidification improves the indoor climate for the employees. Fewer voice disorders, less eye strain and higher satisfaction with the air quality are the experiences after two years of practical use.
Hannover Rück, Hannover (Germany)
Hannover Re is the world's third-largest reinsurer. The IT Service Desk looks after over 3000 employees at the Hanover location on all questions relating to the software and hardware of the workstations.
Asteelflash Hersfeld GmbH, Bad Hersfeld
Air Humidification in the electronic industry Asteelflash is the second largest electronic manufacturing services provider in Europe. More than 5,000 employees at 18 production sites worldwide work for the group of companies headquartered in France. The facility in Bad Hersfeld produces integrated electronic systems and modules for the automotive industry, among other things. Asteelflash is using direct room air humidification to protect the health of employees and for quality assurance in the assembly of PCBs.
Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg - Germany
In January 2017, the Elbphilharmonie (or Elbe Philharmonic Hall) was officially opened after about ten years of construction work. Its unique glass facade, which plays on visual associations with sails and ocean waves, has already established itself as a new landmark of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Inside the Elbphilharmonie™s main concert hall, specially-designed and individually-carved wall and ceiling elements provide incredibly precise sound diffusion and perfect acoustics.
The main hall has 2,100 seats in total, and each seat is individually supplied with fresh air. Condair DL hybrid humidifiers ensure comfort for visitors and optimal acoustic conditions for the orchestra.
The main hall has 2,100 seats in total, and each seat is individually supplied with fresh air. Condair DL hybrid humidifiers ensure comfort for visitors and optimal acoustic conditions for the orchestra.
Air humidification that sets the tone. For voices, instruments and building materials.
Built in 1891, Zurich Opera House has its own ballet company and stands out for its excellent acoustics, which are ideal for any opera repertoire.
Thanks to its bold and successful productions and outstanding casts, it has long been considered one of the best in the world and was named Opera House of the Year 2025 by Opernwelt magazine.
Thanks to its bold and successful productions and outstanding casts, it has long been considered one of the best in the world and was named Opera House of the Year 2025 by Opernwelt magazine.
se-austria GmbH & Co. KG, Schörfling am Attersee (Austria)
Employee orientation and health protection play a major role for se-austria GmbH & Co. KG. With direct room air humidification, the indoor climate for the employees could be improved without costly renewal of the air conditioning system.
Bloomberg
The European headquarters of the media company Bloomberg in London was designed by the architects Foster + Partners and opened in 2017. The building complex is one million square meters in size and has many details that have been the result of months of research and development, such as a ceiling decorated with petals that provides lighting and cooling, but also acoustic insulation.The building consists of two ten-story blocks connected by a bridge. An arcade of restaurants selected by Bloomberg's restaurant critics runs between them. The building uses 70% less water and 40% less energy than conventional office buildings and was even awarded the Stirling Prize in 2018.Condair ME evaporative humidifiers are maintaining the ideal indoor humidity for the preservation of the wooden interiors and a healthy environment for visitors.
Baloise Park, Basel
Baloise Park forms an area with three buildings on which the Baloise insurance group is headquartered. The complex offers 1,300 modern office workstations, of which 700 are used for Baloise employeesand the rest are rented out. The tallest building in Baloise Park is the tower in the west, which is one of the tallest buildings in Basel at 89 meters.Part of this tower houses the 5-star Superior Hotel Mövenpick comprising 264 rooms and an exquisite bar with sun terrace.Condair steam humidifiers ensure healthy room air humidity.
Quotes from our customers
Joe A. Neidhart
ArchitectAt the end of his professional career, Swiss architect Joe A. Neidhart from Lucerne fulfilled a long-held dream: he built a 250 m² passive two-family house at an altitude of around 2,000 m in Riederalp in the canton of Valais (Switzerland) with views over the Alps and the Matterhorn, which he has been living in himself for 20 weeks a year ever since. Due to the altitude, with very low winter temperatures and low humidity, Neidhart opted for a sustainable 100% solar thermal house for heating and domestic hot water and for a new, innovative system for controlled indoor air humidification.
Sebastian Bogatu
Technical Director"For our dancers and singers, it is very, very important to have good, humid air that they can breathe in, but of course also not to have any droplets on the floor – and Vita Power fulfills both requirements. We already had a stage humidification system, and Condair showed us good options for how it could be improved."
Jens Ringeling
Group Leader Facility Management"Our additional in-space humidification is a great fit, as the positive effect is immediately noticeable and has a direct impact on employee satisfaction and health protection."
Thomas Fechner
Assistant to the Executive Board"Hygiene and safety are of course particularly important to us with such a system. The DRAABE systems can guarantee us the safety we want and the discreet design of the nebulisers integrates perfectly into the room."
Eddie Isaakjan
Sales Manager"There was immediate positive feedback. For most colleagues, the air now feels noticeably fresher, windows are opened less and the complaints about eye and voice strain are gone."
Florian Rittweger
Sales Management“Optimal humidity is a must for our instruments and at the same time refreshing and health for our customers and our team.”
Harald Reusch
Group Leader Telephone/Technology"I have much less discomfort with dry mucous membranes and just feel better."
Axel Müller-Uderstadt
Customer Service"Air humidification is a must because it protects my employees from voice problems and dry mucous membranes."
Frequently asked questions
How does humidity affect the voice?
What is the ideal humidity level for a healthy voice?
What voice problems arise when the air is too dry?
Why is humidity important for professions that involve a lot of talking?
Why is humidity important for theatres and opera houses?
How can I protect my voice from dry air?
Get free expert advice
If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.
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