I don't speak too often and when I do, I sound hoarse and raspy. What can I do to help my voice sound normal?

Take voice lessons (for singing). It teaches breath control, among other skills. Not only will you improve your speaking voice, but you’ll learn a new hobby.

If it’s just a recent change, simply talk more. Tell yourself what you’re doing, talk on the phone and sing. With or without an audience- your call.

If it’s been a lifelong thing, I would simply embrace it. Side note:when I’ve come down with sore throats and my voice is raspy, I’ve been told it’s “very sexy.” We are our own worst critics and it’s quite possible your voice sounds nicer than you think.

@snowberry‘s suggestion is good, as is @Taciturnu‘s
As for myself,My speaking voice is of a low and raspy nature.It is normal to me and I quite like it,if I do say so myself….said of course in a low,raspy voice ;)

Welcome to Fluther. I’m sorry for your loss.

I live alone (and don’t speak any more than I need to at work), so I know what you mean. Even the dorg can be startled sometimes by the first thing I might say to her on any given day. But the problem goes away after I’ve said that “first thing” and clear my throat (which I may not have had to do until I spoke).

So that’s really the solution: speak more. Read aloud. Sing in the shower. Sing along with the radio.

You could drink some tea, stay in the bathroom after you’ve taken a warm shower- all the hot moisture would probably be helpful. You could also get a humidifier* for your room. ^_^

Exercise your voice often if that is ok for whatever health issue that is going on.. Talk on the phone to friends, record your own voice so you can hear it. It there is any theraphy involved with the health issue, do it fully.
I wish you speady recovery

See an ENT physician. Hoarse and raspy voice can be a sign of a vocal cord abnormality. Also, if you smoke, don’t.

When I’ve been alone for some days, I never know when I go to speak if my voice is going to start or not. I have to warm up a little before making a phone call. If I forget, just a croak may come out, even though my voice is normally clear.

I think the main remedy is just to use it even when you’re alone, as others have suggested. Read aloud to yourself. Sing along with the radio. Recite verses. Talk to the cat.

I wonder if this is why there’s a cliche about older people talking to themselves. It never occurred to me before that it might be rooted in a wish to keep the vocal cords humming.

Welcome to fluther, @lorrie25, and please accept my sympathy for your loss.

Sorry to hear of your loss, and welcome to Fluther. We hope you decide to stick around.

I’m with most of the others – talk more and your voice should stay warmed up. My voice is terribly hoarse when I first wake up in the morning. @Jeruba has some great suggestions.

Do hermits talk to themselves, I wonder? and if not, do they have any voice if they do want to speak to someone—say, a seeker of truth who has come to hear their wisdom?

Do people who have taken a vow of silence lose the ability to vocalize? Do they ever try out their voices when no one is around?

These questions are slight digressions from the topic, I admit, but they do pertain to the matter of whether disuse is enough to cause loss of functionality.

Singing or merely humming in the shower is especially good for your vocal chords. The few vocal coaches I’ve met have recommended it.