Professional Voice Resources

Hoarseness before a performance

Hoarseness before a performance is most often caused by swelling of the vocal folds from a cold, from heavy use, or from reflux. Swollen folds vibrate less freely, so the voice sounds rougher, needs more effort, and tires quickly.

The difficulty is that a harmless cause and a serious one, such as a bleed into the vocal fold, can sound alike. If the voice has changed suddenly, if singing is effortful or painful, or if the change has not settled after a day of relative rest, have the vocal folds examined before the performance rather than after it.

Singing with a cold

A cold affects the voice in two ways: the vocal folds themselves may become swollen, and the nose, throat and chest become congested. When only the nose and throat are affected and the vocal folds are healthy, many singers can perform carefully. When the vocal folds are swollen, singing at full demand increases the risk of injury.

Hydration, steam, rest between sessions and reducing speaking all help. Avoid forcing through the problem, clearing the throat repeatedly, and relying on medicines that dry the throat. If you are unsure, an examination gives a clear answer.

Sudden loss of high notes

A sudden loss of the top of the range, particularly with soft singing, is one of the earliest signs that the vibrating edge of a vocal fold has changed. Common causes include swelling, a small lesion, and a vocal fold haemorrhage.

Because these causes are managed very differently, a sudden loss of high notes should be examined with stroboscopy, especially when it appears after a single demanding performance.

Vocal fold haemorrhage

A vocal fold haemorrhage is a bleed into the vibrating layer of the vocal fold, usually during forceful voice use. Singers often describe a sudden change or loss of voice in the middle of a phrase. It is more likely during a cold, around menstruation, and with medicines that affect clotting.

A haemorrhage needs examination and, in most cases, a period of strict voice rest while the blood is reabsorbed. Continuing to sing on a haemorrhage risks scarring, which can permanently change the voice. Stop, rest, and arrange an examination.

Vocal fatigue

Vocal fatigue is the sense that the voice tires, loses quality or needs more effort as it is used, and recovers more slowly than it should. It is common in heavy voice users and is rarely due to a single cause.

Technique, breath support, hearing, hydration, reflux, and systemic factors such as thyroid function or low iron can all contribute. Fatigue that is persistent, or getting worse, is worth assessing: the Professional Voice Check-Up is designed to find imbalances of exactly this kind.

Voice rest

Voice rest can mean complete silence, reduced voice use, or rest from singing only. Complete rest is sometimes essential, for example after some vocal fold surgery or a haemorrhage, but it is not always necessary, and prolonged unnecessary rest can leave the voice deconditioned.

Whispering is not a form of rest: it can strain the larynx. The type and length of rest should match the problem, and should be followed by a planned return to voice use rather than an abrupt one.

When should a singer see a laryngologist?

See a laryngologist when hoarseness, loss of range or vocal fatigue persists beyond a couple of weeks, when a change appears suddenly, or when singing becomes painful or effortful. See one urgently after a sudden loss of voice during singing.

Many performers also benefit from an examination while the voice is healthy. A baseline recording, made when everything is working well, is the most useful reference if something changes later.