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The Top 3 Medical Causes of Vocal Problems
By Margaret Baroody
Something is wrong with your voice,
but you can’t immediately pinpoint why or
what the source of the problem is. Vocal
health expert Margaret Baroody sheds light
on some common medical reasons behind
your voice problems.
1. Undiagnosed allergies or reflux
(laryngopharangeal reflux)
These conditions can cause insidious
vocal difficulties that, if not diagnosed, can
lead to more serious vocal injuries. Typical
symptoms include frequent throat clearing,
a sensation of something in the throat, prolonged
vocal warm-up, difficulty finding
the “core” of the vocal sound (especially
on open vowels), and unclear vocal quality.
The voice may fatigue more quickly
because you are trying so hard to find a
clearer tone.
Singers who have allergies or reflux
correctly diagnosed and treated often experience
a near-phenomenal sense of clearer
voice and easier vocal production.
2. Vocal fold paresis or weakness
A weakness in the nerves that work the
vocal folds can cause symptoms such as
reduced vocal endurance (quicker vocal
fatigue), breathiness or lack of resonance
(particularly in the middle voice), occasional
loss of higher notes, as well as other
things. This is a diagnosis that is often
missed by the less experienced voice doctor.
It is a problem that can often be corrected
with specific vocal exercises.
3. Vocal fold masses
Benign bumps on the vocal folds
(cysts, polyps, nodules) are a fairly common
occurrence and they can cause breathiness,
hoarseness, loss of range, and other
things. It is also possible to have a vocal
fold mass that is non-symptomatic; in other
words, it does not cause significant problems
in your singing voice. Again, it can
take a knowledgeable voice doc to help you
determine if your vocal fold mass is causing
your vocal complaints.
Be aware that many different vocal
problems can cause similar vocal symptoms
so if you are having a vocal problem, it is
important to be examined by an experienced
voice doctor. The good news is that
many vocal problems can be addressed and
fixed with a combination of appropriate
singing instruction, good vocal hygiene,
and, when needed, timely medical intervention.
Countless people sing for a lifetime
without significant vocal problems. Seek
help if you need it and, otherwise, enjoy the
gift of singing!
Reprinted with permission from
singernetwork.org.
About the Author
Margaret Baroody is a singing voice
specialist in the voice medicine practice of
Drs. Joseph Sataloff, Robert T. Sataloff,
Karen Lyons, Yolanda Heman-Ackah, Harvey
Tucker, and Venu Devi in Philadelphia.
Widely recognized for her work with injured
voices, Baroody also maintains a busy private
voice studio. Baroody has written frequently
on the subject of singing, including
contributing to the books Vocal Health And
Pedagogy, Professional Voice: The Science
And Art Of Clinical Care, and Choral
Pedagogy. Baroody is a professional mezzosoprano
with extensive performance experience
in opera, oratorio, and recital.
10 PPLITE February/March 2011