Vocal Health Tips For Auditioneess!!!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>You absolutely WANT her to be scoped - this is THE ONLY way to know for sure what is going on with her vocal folds (aka cords). You must see the vocal folds work close-up. I work for 3 top laryngologists (voice specialists) and know several others, and although we are all (doctors and voice therapists in our practice) very skilled at predicting a diagnosis based on history, sound of the voice, and preliminary acoustic and aerodynamic testing, we are fooled at least 1x a day by a voice that SOUNDS like one thing is happening when it is actually something entirely different. </p>

<p>As cartera said, you want a laryngologist - an ENT who JUST does voice. If you PM me and let me know where you are, I can give you referrals in that area of the country. It’s a small and very specialized network of experts.</p>

<p>Throat-clearing does not always connote reflux - could also be allergies, dehydration, or swellings on her vocal cords (sometimes called “nodules” or “pre-nodules”. although neither is necessarily an accurate name) that make them heavier, so she clears subconsciously to try to help them move. No cause for alarm - but she should be checked out ASAP, so she doesn’t sing through damage, if there is damage there.</p>

<p>If you google “voice problems,” you will find some great websites with tons of helpful info.</p>

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<p>CoachC - thanks for chiming in - so nice to have a real expert on the board. I have read that the actual mechanism of throat clearing can damage the cords - that it bangs the cords together when you do it. Is that true? </p>

<p>Is there any risk of damage when doing the scope?</p>

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<p>No problem at all! :slight_smile: Violent or habitual throat clearing can damage the vocal folds due to the friction on the delicate tissue, but some throat clearing is ok.</p>

<p>There is no real risk of damage with the scope. Surgical intubation is what poses a risk, but the flexible (through the nose) scope rarely touches the cords at all, unless the doctor wants to look into the trachea for some specific reason (which is below the vocal folds), and the rigid (through the mouth) scope never touches the cords.</p>

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<p>wow! you guys are all amazing. What alot of great info. Yes, CoachC she does have allergies but she feels that it is less of a problem now that she is 400 miles away from home. She told me today that her vocal coach at school has threatened to strangle her is she continues to clear her throat. I told her to sip something instead. I’m trying to inform her of all of this info as she is 18 yrs old and will have to deal with the doctors herself. Things were easier when they were minors.</p>

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<p>bumping for sick kids…</p>