IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: (See Below) WHY DOES MY THROAT GET DRY AND MY VOICE GET HOARSE? We all have occasions when we develop a dry, sore scratchy throat and a hoarse, tired voice - we call it laryngitis. This is not always a correct diagnostic term, but it is descriptive - possibly because tissues in the larynx or vocal apparatus are inflammed- sound is distorted. Often it's caused by excessive vocalizing: too much speaking, singing, cheering at games or concerts, shouting, etc. WHAT'S IN IT? Designed to resemble the body's own secretions, it contains aloe vera, glycerin and CMC in a pleasant tasting aqueous blend. It does NOT have any numbing anesthestics or any other medicinal ingrediants. WHAT DOES IT DO? Sprayed into the throat via the mouth or nose, it adds moisture to and supplements and thins out the coating material lining these passageways. It makes the mucus less vicous so it can flow properly to re-hydrate the sensitive underlying membranes, quickly restoring throat comfort and voice quality. Inhaled air almost always is drier than the body would prefer because heating in cold weather as well as conditioning in hot weather removes moisture. When this dry air flows through the throat's passageways, its mucosal cover loses moisture via evaporation. As a consequence, this coating or lining becomes too viscous to flow properly and it cannot keep the underlying sensitive membranes moist. These surfaces can become dehydrated even if one is not doing an unusual amount of talking or singing or yelling. Other reasons: maybe the dry irritated throat is due to an unfavorable atmosphere like smoke or dust, or maybe it's an after-effect from a cold or cough or the result of surgery or therapy. Allergies can cause the mucus to form a thick and congested mass. Whatever the cause, the throat feels uncomfortable and, because a dry vocal fold does not vibrate like a moist one, vocal quality is impaired. WHY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT? A dry throat is uncomfortable and a persistently dry throat is more susceptible to inflammation and infection - problems which nobody needs. A hoarse voice handicaps our ability to perform our job or participate in a favorite activity. It is annoying to the person doing the vocalizing and equally irritating and distracting to the listener. A few of us, radio announcers and opera singers, for example, have jobs that absolutely demand one's very best voice all the time. However, a far greater number of us are involved in everyday activities that require a degree of vocal quality, e.g. conversing, explaining, teaching, presenting, or selling - if we want to optimize our opportunity to communicate. A scratchy hoarse voice is frustrating to both parties. The audience, whether it is one person or an auditorium full, is short-changed, receiving less than the speaker or singer is capable of delivering. WHY NOT JUST DRINK WATER? Drinking lots of water is good, a healthy and a smart idea for many reasons. Before extended periods of vocalizing one should drink a lot of water. But the water passes through the esophagus into the digestive system and must get into the circulatory system before it can be delivered to specific dehydrated areas such as the throat or larynx. Very little ingested water comes into direct contact with these dehydrated surfaces. Frequent, often inconvenient bathroom breaks become necessary. Moreover, even with copious fluid intake to achieve systemic hydration, the body's mucous-secreting glands often just can't produce enough replacement moisturizing materials quickly enough to keep up with the increased need. WHAT ABOUT OTHER BEVERAGES? Some people find fruit juices and other water-based fluids a better tasting alternative, but many drinks are counter- productive. For example, alcohol and caffeine both exert a drying effect; paradoxically, the more one drinks the dryer the local membranes and total system becomes. Even sugar or acid (e.g. carbonation or citric acid) in drinks reduces the effectiveness of these beverages as humidifiers and makes them less efficient than plain water. WHAT IS ENTERTAINER'S SECRET THROAT RELIEF? Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief is a spray formulated to resemble natural mucosal secretions and designed to moisturize, humidify and lubricate the mucous membranes of the throat and larynx. HISTORY: Entertainer's Secret resulted from a collaborative effort of KLI CORP and a Nashville TN otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), Richard Quisling, MD, whose practice includes many singers and entertainers. When these professionals' voices are at less than their best, careers and very livelihoods are at risk. Our goal was to develop a product which could protect the vocal apparatus and restore and maintain voice quality and comfort without doing harm. After trying various ratios of a number of different ingredients, the final formulation of the product now known as Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief evolved. Once subsequent testing found it to be safe and effective, it was registered as a medical device by the FDA in the United States. The first sales took place in 1984 and it originally was called Moi-Stir 10. WHAT DOES ENTERTAINER'S SECRET DO? This unique, easy to use, non-medicinal throat spray supplements the throat's natural moisturizers, comforts, soothes, and restores vocal quality Safely, Quickly, and Effectively. When sprayed orally or nasally into the throat, it adjusts the thickness and flow of the mucus in the sinuses and the passageways of the nose and throat. Introduction of this solution helps mend the discomfort of a dry, sore, scratchy throat and the annoyance of a hoarse tired voice - and works to prevent further occurrences. The nose and throat not only moisturize incoming air but they also serve as filtering mechanisms. Tiny hairs in the nose called cilia are constantly moving back and forth. They sweep away particulate matter - such as dust, smoke or other pollutants - so it can’t enter the lungs. A moist passageway, lined with sticky mucus is a much more efficient filter than a dry one devoid of mucus. Entertainer's Secret is to dry throat and hoarse voice what lip balms are for chapped lips or what hand lotions are for skin that has become irritated or chapped due to exposure to detergents, solvents or chemicals. It is not a medication or a "cure" but it can help relieve throat and voice problems when dryness is a contributing factor. Let’s look at some evidence:

A dry larynx is pictured above before using Entertainer's Throat Secret!

Same larynx photo after being sprayed with Entertainer's Throat Secret!

The photo above on the right side is the same subject’s larynx after he sprayed Entertainer’s Secret. A professional’s trained eye can see that the larynx on the right is more elongated and relaxed, but anyone, professional or not, can see more white spots on the right photo. These spots are reflections of light (much like the reflection of street lights on the road on a rainy night) that are picked up by the fiberoptic camera. The moisture is from the Entertainer’s Secret and it is sticking to the surface of the vocal folds and keeping them moist. Professionals also use specialized computer programs which generate spectogram wave forms. A subject speaks or sings into a microphone hooked up to software which produces a line on the screen. The green line is before spraying; the blue one, same person, is after spraying. Note the wide fluctuations and jagged pattern on the green line. In somewhat oversimplified terms, the more jagged the line appears, the rougher the voice sounds. (Photos and graphs courtesy of Richard Quisling MD of Nashville TN) It is said that a picture is worth 1000 words. However, audio documentation sometimes is infinitely more convincing than photos or graphs. If you want to hear a hoarse voice before and after spraying Entertainer’s Secret, CLICK HERE (it may take a minute or two for it to load). WILL IT HELP MY ALLERGIES / SINUSES? Allergy and sinus complaints often involve congestion and discomfort because of very thick mucus. Spraying Entertainer's Secret helps to thin out or make this material less viscous. This lets the mucus flow as it should which keeps the underlying membranes moist and healthy. Although Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief is not a specific remedy for these problems, it can reduce the symptoms of discomfort. WHO USES ENTERTAINER'S SECRET? A great number of household names from the performing arts from pop music to country & western to gospel to opera and Broadway Stage and TV actors - have found Entertainer's Secret beneficial. Photos from satisfied purchasers such as Jon BonJovi, Lyle Lovett, Jerry Lewis, Glen Close, Alan Campbell, Tom Petty, Debbie Gibson, Wynonna Judd, and many others adorn our walls. I'M NOT AN ENTERTAINER; WHY SHOULD I BE INTERESTED? While we are flattered to number many famous people among our customers, we are equally pleased that it has been helpful to hundreds of teachers of many different subjects at every academic level, choir members, salespersons, members of the clergy, and business and professional people all around the world. Anybody who relies on their voice for work or fun should have a bottle in their medicine chest, supply cabinet, briefcase, car or desk alongside other personal care products. It's a very inexpensive way to insure your very best vocal quality. At one point it was a "secret" for people in the entertainment field; no more! WILL IT MAKE ME BETTER IN MY JOB? It surely can't hurt. An unpleasant voice is rarely an occupational advantage, whatever one does. Discomfort seldom improves performance. INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS The final formulation was established after considerable experimenting with fiberoptic visualization and computer- generated sonogram technology that records vibrational characteristics and changes in vocal quality. The product's "clinical" function is to supplement and adjust the viscosity of the natural secretions which keep the throat and vocal apparatus moist and healthy. People who use (abuse?) their voices longer or more aggressively than usual while speaking or singing probably comprise the majority of the individuals who can benefit from Entertainer's Secret. But within the healthcare community, it also has been found helpful for head and neck radiation patients, for speech pathology patients, for people with Sjogren's Syndrome, for people who have had laser surgery (e.g. the Laup procedure) and for others who complain of or are handicapped by throat dryness. When this question is posed to the company who makes the product (and we often get this very question), it would seem that anything other than a very positive answer would be highly unlikely. So it can come as a surprise when we point out that Entertainer’s Secret is not a cure-all: For example, if the "sore throat" is, in fact, a streptococcal infection, only an antibiotic and/or time can cure strep throat. Also, resolving organic or structural problems like nodules or nodes on the vocal apparatus might require time, vocal rest and maybe even surgical intervention. Entertainer’s Secret can provide symptomatic help for these and other complaints but it is not a panacea. WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN? (Ingredients) Entertainer's Secret is formulated to resemble natural secretions. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, aloe vera gel and glycerin - each a proxy for a naturally secreted type of mucus (globular, strand and sheet) - are blended into a buffered, aqueous hypertonic solution. Unlike some other sore throat remedies, it does NOT contain numbing anesthetics, alcohol, antiseptics, analgesics, antihistamines, decongestants, anti-inflammatory agents or any other "medicinal" ingredient that can produce unwanted side effects. The improved honey-apple flavor imparts a pleasant mellow taste. So What have you got to lose, give it a try today!