How can you speak at the right volume during phone calls?

1 Test your equipment

Before you make or receive a phone call, make sure your microphone and speaker are working properly. You can use a voice recorder app or a test call service to check how your voice sounds through your device. Adjust the volume settings, the distance from your mouth, and the background noise level to ensure a clear and consistent sound quality. If you use a headset, earphones, or speakerphone, make sure they are comfortable and compatible with your device.

2 Consider your audience

The volume level that works for one person may not work for another. Different factors such as age, culture, hearing ability, and personality may affect how your audience perceives your voice. For example, older people may prefer a louder volume than younger people, while some cultures may consider a louder volume as more assertive or enthusiastic than others. To speak at the right volume for your audience, try to match their tone and pace, and ask for feedback if you are unsure. You can also use cues such as their responses, questions, or interruptions to gauge their interest and comprehension.

3 Monitor your emotions

Your emotions can also influence your volume level during phone calls. If you are nervous, excited, angry, or passionate, you may tend to speak louder or softer than usual. While it is natural and normal to express your emotions, you should also be aware of how they affect your communication. To speak at the right volume for your emotions, try to breathe deeply, relax your throat and jaw, and pause between sentences. You can also use words, gestures, and facial expressions to convey your emotions without relying on volume alone.

4 Adapt to the situation

The situation of your phone call may also require you to adjust your volume level accordingly. For example, if you are in a noisy environment, you may need to speak louder than usual to overcome the background noise. However, you should also be mindful of not disturbing others around you or compromising your privacy. If you are in a quiet environment, you may need to speak softer than usual to avoid echoing or feedback. However, you should also be careful of not sounding too whispery or muffled. To speak at the right volume for the situation, try to find a suitable place for your phone call, and use noise-canceling or mute features when necessary.

5 Practice and improve

Speaking at the right volume during phone calls is a skill that you can improve with practice and feedback. You can record yourself during phone calls and listen to how you sound afterwards. You can also ask for constructive criticism from your colleagues, friends, or family members who have phone conversations with you. By practicing and improving your volume level, you can enhance your communication skills and build better relationships with your phone contacts.