Background: Vocal effort and swallowing effort are critical aspects of the Communication Sciences field because they impact a significant portion of the population. Despite their importance, there is a lack of standardized definitions and metrics for these efforts in the literature. This research aims to fill that gap by reviewing and synthesizing existing definitions and measurement approaches, providing a foundation for future clinical assessments and interventions. Methods: This study was a systematic review of the literature, including three databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL). The search string included terms like “speech effort,” “swallowing effort,” and “vocal effort.” Results: A total of 82 manuscripts were included because they defined either vocal or swallowing effort. Among the included manuscripts, 75 were about vocal effort and 7 were about swallowing effort. From the literature, some keywords associated with swallowing effort were “muscular exertion,” “oral constriction,” and “strengthening therapy”. For vocal effort, keywords included “perceived exertion,” “voice production,” and “noisy environments”. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for standardized definitions and metrics for vocal and swallowing efforts, which are crucial for accurate clinical assessments and effective interventions. Clinicians can implement these findings by integrating the standardized definitions and metrics for vocal and swallowing efforts into their assessment protocols. This involves adopting the synthesized metrics from the review to ensure consistent and accurate evaluations of patients. Training and professional development programs should incorporate these findings to enhance clinicians’ skills in diagnosing and treating voice and swallowing disorders. By doing so, clinicians can improve patient outcomes and contribute to a more unified approach in the field.