How do you identify vocal injuries in singers?

First, it's important to note that singers (and anyone who uses their voice professionally) are susceptible to vocal injuries simply because they put high demands on their voice - in the same way a professional athlete may suffer a pulled muscle or sprain. It's a reality of the profession and most often not due to abuse, misuse, or lack of knowledge of the singer. There is often a stigma around vocal injuries that they occur because of something the user is doing "wrong" and this is simply not the case. For this reason, I advise all vocal coaches to eliminate the words, "vocal abuse" when working with voice professionals.

Comparto mi experiencia cuando he tenido alumnos que llegan con lesiones vocales: Por lo general el alumno esta bastante mal enfocado en su energía y su propia ansiedad hace que mal use su voz y altere todos sus centros energéticos lo que finalmente termina en una lesión. Me ayuda mucho ademas de todos los ejercicios de foniatria, hacerles una relajación previa con olores relajantes entes de empezar la sesión. Esto no solo los relaja y los alivia sino que les hace tomar mucho mas conciencia de lo que realmente pasa con su cuerpo cuando cantan con tensión. Espero les ayude

It is believed that new singers should follow the following respiration technique: Inhale as much air in as possible and then exhale quickly. Some singers raise their shoulders using incorrect upper chest breath support. This has a negative effect on the vocal chords causing vocal fatigue and hoarseness. Tarneaud found that singers need only 1.5 liters of Tidal-Air (usable air for phonation which is the amount of air inhaled and exhaled in an average human breath (tidal volume) and is about one-eighth the amount that can be inhaled after exhaling as much as possible (vital capacity)) in order to produce the longest musical portion there is.

Get the singer to siren - ng - it will highlight any vocal cracks or injuries .. then lots of SOVT straw work for vocal rehab ..

Vérifier : - L'aire dans la voix sur toute la tessiture. - Sirène sur toute le registre de la voix a faible volume, permet de desseller enflement des cordes vocale et nodules. - Sur adduction des cordes vocales - fatigue et douleurs des cordes vocales - Tension dans la machoire et la langue

Red flags for voice professionals: - new hoarseness - pain when using the voice - delayed onset (it takes a moment for the voice to come in when speaking/singing) - loss of range (particularly upper notes) - increased vocal fatigue An easy way to determine if the vocal folds are swollen is to have the user hum as high as they can, as quietly as they can. If sound comes out, the folds are not swollen. If there is no sound, they are. (The folds have to stretch and tense in order to make high, light sounds and if there is swelling, this isn't possible.) Unless there is complete laryngitis, the user does not require complete vocal rest. It's actually more harmful to go on complete vocal rest & risk loss of flexibility. Reduce vocal use.

Thus, a good breath technique is not one that has as much air as possible but rather one that has a correct breath support and good technical ability to produce any musical note and using an educated breath supply. Research has shown five respiratory distresses that will cause singing problems, and these are: 1. Breathing too much into the chest cavity: 2. Not breathing into the chest cavity enough: 3. Certain singers make this next mistake: While singing on exhalation they will permit their belly to relax and fall out, this will cause Detuning (Flat intonation) and vocal fatigue. 4. Other singers make the opposite mistake: While singing on exhalation they will push their abdominal muscles in too hard.

I'm always conscious to not hastily assign dianogsis because I'm not a doctor. I have a few ENT contacts that I refer my students to see when they experience signs and symptoms of vocal injury that last for longer than 2-3 weeks.

As a vocal coach, Identifying vocal injuries in a singer involves listening for changes in vocal quality, such as hoarseness or strain, monitoring vocal range limitations, and paying attention to any discomfort or pain reported by the singer. Regular vocal assessments and encouraging proper vocal warm-ups can also help prevent injuries. If in doubt, it's advisable for the singer to consult with a laryngologist

Discomfort, long term hoarseness or problems swallowing you should consult an Ear,Nose and Throat specialist directly. Vocal coaches or singing coaches are not qualified to deal with long throat medical issues at all.

5. Flexed belly muscles are quite common among female singers after pregnancy or post abdominal operations in male singers. While singing on exhalation the belly tends to fall out and stay relaxed, in order to compensate these singers will tend to overuse their chest muscles – Thus, causing unsecured tones because the singing process is done with tensed facial and neck muscles.

It's important to note that nodules and polyps occur over time. Think of your heel rubbing on an ill-fitting shoe: first there's some redness, then swelling, then a blister forms, then a callous. It's the same with the vocal folds. There is often an opportunity to change behaviors before the injury progresses.

A Vocal Coach cannot legally rehabilitate voice with vocal injuries in most countries. The only legally authorized professional for functional assessment and voice rehabilitation is the Speech Therapist/Pathologist (SLP, Logopeda, Fonoaudiólogo). If the Vocal Coach exercises vocal rehabilitation, he or she incurs a crime of professional intrusion. Likewise, the only doctor who can carry out the organic assessment of larynx is the ENT doctor (ORL/ENT), and in a few countries the Phoniatrician.

It's important to know where you can assist, and when it is necessary to point a voice user to another member of the voice care team (the singer, the vocal coach, an SLP, and a vocologist.) The vocologist or ENT can make a medical diagnosis and then refer a voice user to an SLP for therapy if necessary.

Fundamental abordar las lesiones desde una perspectiva médica, con un tratamiento prescrito por un profesional médico. Una vez superada o abordada la lesión, entrenamiento vocal con ejercicios específicos para apoyar el tratamiento médico, y prevenir futuras lesiones

Unless a voice user has complete laryngitis or has been instructed by a physician - complete vocal rest is not necessary. In fact, going on complete vocal rest can do more harm than good, causing a loss of flexibility and strength in the voice. If you're under the weather, or have determined that the folds are swollen, rather than going on full vocal rest, reduce vocal use. SOVTE's like straw hums are great for this. Aim for 2-3 minutes of straw hums 3-5x per day. For more info, DM me.

It is important to reassure our students/clients that vocal injuries are usually preventable by doing warm-up and cool-down, having good vocal hygiene, developing solid vocal technique and avoid overusing/abusing the voice. Surgeries are usually the last resort even when a singer has been diagnosed with a vocal injury. With patience and guidance from a team of voice specialists, singers can make full recovery in time.