How old are you?

Serious vocal endeavor may start in childhood and continue throughout a lifetime. As the vocal mechanism undergoes normal maturation, the voice changes. The optimal time to begin serious vocal training is controversial. For many years, most singing teachers advocated delay of vocal training and serious singing until near puberty in the female and after puberty and voice stabilization in the male. In a child who has earnest vocal aspirations and potential, however, starting specialized training early in childhood is reasonable. Initial instruction should teach the child to vocalize without straining and to avoid all forms of voice abuse. It should not permit premature indulgence in operatic bravado. Most experts agree that taxing voice use and singing during puberty should be minimized or avoided altogether, particularly by the male. Voice maturation (attainment of stable adult vocal quality) may occur at any age from the early teenage years to the fourth decade of life. The dangerous tendency for young singers to attempt to sound older than their vocal years frequently causes vocal dysfunction.

All components of voice production are subject to normal advanced aging. Abdominal and general muscular tone frequently decrease, lungs lose elasticity, the thorax loses its distensibility, the mucosa of the vocal tract atrophies, mucous secretions change character and quantity, nerve endings are reduced in number, and psychoneurologic functions change as one advances past the midlife. Moreover, the larynx itself loses muscle tone and bulk and may show depletion of submucosal ground substance in the vocal folds. The laryngeal cartilages ossify, and the joints may become arthritic and stiff. Hormonal influence is altered. Vocal range, intensity, and quality all may be modified. Vocal fold atrophy may be the most striking alteration. The clinical effects of aging seem more pronounced in female singers, although vocal fold histologic changes may be more prominent in males. Excellent male singers occasionally extend their careers into their 70s or beyond . Some degree of breathiness, decreased range, decreased breath support, and other evidence of aging should be expected in elderly voices. Nevertheless, many of the changes we typically associate with elderly singers (wobble, flat pitch) are attributable to lack of conditioning rather than inevitable changes of biologic aging. These aesthetically undesirable concomitants of aging can often be reversed.

What is your voice problem?

Careful questioning about the onset of vocal problems is needed to separate acute from chronic dysfunction. Often an upper respiratory tract infection sends a patient to the physician’s office, but penetrating inquiry, especially in singers and actors, may reveal a chronic vocal problem that is the patient’s real concern. Identifying acute and chronic problems before beginning therapy is important so that patient and physician may have realistic expectations and make optimal therapeutic selections.

The specific nature of the vocal complaint can provide a great deal of information. Just as dizzy patients rarely walk into the physician’s office complaining of “rotary vertigo,” voice patients may be unable to articulate their symptoms without guidance. They may use the term “hoarseness” to describe a variety of conditions that the physician must separate. Hoarseness is a coarse or scratchy sound that is most often associated with abnormalities of the leading edge of the vocal folds, such as laryngitis or mass lesions. Breathiness is a vocal quality characterized by excessive loss of air during vocalization. In some cases it is caused by improper technique. Any condition that prevents full approximation of the vocal folds can be responsible, however. Possible causes include vocal fold paralysis, a mass lesion separating the leading edges of the vocal folds, arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joint, arytenoid dislocation, scarring of the vibratory margin, senile vocal fold atrophy (presbyphonia), psychogenic dysphonia, malingering, and other conditions.

Fatigue of the voice is inability to continue to speak or sing for extended periods without change in vocal quality or control. The voice may show fatigue by becoming hoarse, losing range, changing timbre, breaking into different registers, or exhibiting other uncontrolled aberrations. A well-trained singer should be able to sing for several hours without vocal fatigue.

Voice fatigue may occur through more than one mechanism. Most of the time it is assumed to be attributable to muscle fatigue, which is often the case in patients who have voice fatigue associated with muscle tension dysphonia. The mechanism is most likely to be peripheral muscle fatigue caused by chemical changes or depletion in the muscle fibers. Muscle fatigue may also occur on a central neurologic basis. This mechanism is common in certain neuropathic disorders, such as some patients who have multiple sclerosis; may occur with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular junction disorder; or may be associated with paresis from various causes. The voice may also fatigue because of changes in the vibratory margin of the vocal fold, however. This phenomenon may be described as lamina propria fatigue. It, too, may be related to chemical or fluid changes in the lamina propria or cellular damage associated with conditions such as phonotrauma and dehydration. Excessive voice use, suboptimal tissue environment (eg, dehydration, effects of pollution, and so on), lack of sufficient time of recovery between phonatory stresses, and genetic or structural tissue weaknesses that predispose to injury or delayed recovery from trauma all may be associated with lamina propria fatigue.

Although it has not been proved, the authors suspect that fatigue may also be related to linear and nonlinear chaotic characteristics of the voice signal . As the voice becomes more trained, vibrations become more symmetrical and the system becomes more linear. In many pathologic voices, the nonlinear components seem to become more prominent. If a voice is highly linear, slight changes in the vibratory margin may have little effect on the output of the system. If the system is substantially nonlinear because of vocal fold pathology, poor tissue environment, or other causes, slight changes in the tissue (eg, slight swelling, drying, surface cell damage) may cause substantial changes in the acoustic output of the system. A butterfly effect ensues in which vocal quality changes and fatigue occur more quickly with smaller changes in the condition than would be seen in more linear vocal systems.

Fatigue is often caused by misuse of abdominal and neck musculature, oversinging, singing too loudly, or singing too long. Vocal fatigue also may be a sign not only of general tiredness or vocal abuse, sometimes secondary to structural lesions or glottal closure problems, but also of serious illnesses, such as myasthenia gravis. The importance of this complaint thus should not be understated.

Volume disturbance may manifest as inability to sing loudly or inability to sing softly. Each voice has its own dynamic range. Within the course of training, singers learn to sing louder by singing more efficiently. They also learn to sing softly, a more difficult task, through years of laborious practice. Actors and other trained speakers go through similar training. Most volume problems are secondary to intrinsic limitations of the voice or technical errors in voice use, although hormonal changes, aging, and neurologic disease are other causes. Superior laryngeal nerve paresis impairs the ability to speak or sing loudly. This condition is a frequently unrecognized consequence of herpes simplex II infection (cold sores) and Lyme disease and may also be precipitated by any viral upper respiratory tract infection.

Most highly trained singers require only about 10 to 30 minutes to warm up the voice. Prolonged warm-up time, especially in the morning, is most often caused by reflux laryngitis. Tickling or choking during singing is most often a symptom of an abnormality of the vocal fold’s leading edge. The symptom of tickling or choking should contraindicate singing until the vocal folds have been examined. Pain while singing can indicate vocal fold lesions, laryngeal joint arthritis, infection, or gastric acid reflux irritation of the arytenoid region. Pain is much more commonly caused by voice abuse with excessive muscular activity in the neck rather than an acute abnormality on the leading edge of a vocal fold, however. In the absence of other symptoms, these patients do not generally require immediate cessation of singing pending medical examination. Sudden onset of pain, usually sharp pain, while singing may be associated with a mucosal tear or a vocal fold hemorrhage, however, and warrants voice rest pending laryngeal examination.

Do you have any pressing voice commitments?

If a singer or professional speaker (eg, actor, politician) seeks treatment at the end of a busy performance season and has no pressing engagements, management of the voice problem should be conservative and designed to ensure long-term protection of the larynx. The physician and patient rarely have this luxury, however. Most often, the voice professional needs treatment within 1 week of an important engagement and sometimes within less than 1 day.

Younger singers fall ill shortly before performances, not because of hypochondria or coincidence, but rather because of the immense physical and emotional stress of the pre-performance period. The singer is frequently working harder and singing longer hours than usual. Moreover, he or she may be under particular pressure to learn new material and to perform well for a new audience. The singer may also be sleeping less than usual because of additional time spent rehearsing or because of the discomforts of a strange city. Seasoned professionals make their living by performing regularly, sometimes several times a week. Consequently, any time they get sick is likely to precede a performance. Caring for voice complaints in these situations requires highly skilled judgment and bold management.

Tell me about your vocal career, long-term goals, and the importance of your voice quality and upcoming commitments

To choose a treatment program, the physician must understand the importance of the patient’s voice and his or her long-term career plans, the importance of the upcoming vocal commitment, and the consequences of canceling the engagement. Injudicious prescription of voice rest can be almost as damaging to a vocal career as injudicious performance. For example, although a singer’s voice is usually his or her most important commodity, other factors distinguish the few successful artists from the multitude of less successful singers with equally good voices. These include musicianship, reliability, and professionalism. Canceling a concert at the last minute may seriously damage a performer’s reputation. Reliability is especially critical early in a singer’s career. Moreover, an expert singer often can modify a performance to decrease the strain on his or her voice. No singer should be allowed to perform in a manner that permits serious injury to the vocal folds, but in the frequent borderline cases the condition of the larynx must be weighed against other factors affecting the singer as an artist.

How much voice training have you had?

Establishing how long a singer or actor has been performing seriously is important, especially if his or her active performance career predates the beginning of vocal training. Active untrained singers and actors frequently develop undesirable techniques that are difficult to modify. Extensive voice use without training or premature training with inappropriate repertoire may underlie persistent vocal difficulties later in life. The number of years a performer has been training his or her voice may be a fair index of vocal proficiency. A person who has studied voice for 1 or 2 years is somewhat more likely to have gross technical difficulties than someone who has been studying for 20 years. If training has been intermittent or discontinued, however, technical problems are common, especially among singers. In addition, methods of technical voice use vary among voice teachers. A student who has had many teachers in a brief period of time commonly has numerous technical insecurities or deficiencies that may be responsible for vocal dysfunction, especially if the singer has changed to a new teacher within the preceding year. The physician must be careful not to criticize the patient’s current voice teacher in such circumstances. It often takes years of expert instruction to correct bad habits.

All people speak more often than they sing, yet most singers report little speech training. Even if a singer uses the voice flawlessly while practicing and performing, voice abuse at other times can cause damage that affects singing.

Under what kinds of conditions do you use your voice?

The Lombard effect is the tendency to increase vocal intensity in response to increased background noise. A well-trained singer learns to compensate for this tendency and to avoid singing at unsafe volumes. Singers of classical music usually have such training and frequently perform with only a piano, a situation in which the balance can be controlled well. Singers performing in large halls, with orchestras, or in operas early in their careers tend to oversing and strain their voices. Similar problems occur during outdoor concerts because of the lack of auditory feedback. This phenomenon is seen even more among pop singers. Pop singers are in a uniquely difficult position; often, despite little vocal training, they enjoy great artistic and financial success and endure extremely stressful demands on their time and voices. They are required to sing in large halls or outdoor arenas not designed for musical performance amid smoke and other environmental irritants and accompanied by extremely loud background music. One frequently neglected key to survival for these singers is the proper use of monitor speakers. These direct the sound of the singer’s voice toward the singer on the stage and provide auditory feedback. Determining whether the pop singer uses monitor speakers and whether they are loud enough for the singer to hear is important.

Amateur singers are often no less serious about their music than are professionals, but generally they have less ability to compensate technically for illness or other physical impairment. Rarely does an amateur suffer a great loss from postponing a performance or permitting someone to sing in his or her place. In most cases, the amateur singer’s best interest is served through conservative management directed at long-term maintenance of good vocal health.

A great many of the singers who seek physicians’ advice are primarily choral singers. They often are enthusiastic amateurs, untrained but dedicated to their musical recreation. They should be handled as amateur solo singers, educated specifically about the Lombard effect, and cautioned to avoid the excessive volume so common in a choral environment. One good way for a singer to monitor loudness is to cup a hand to his or her ear, which adds about 6 dB to the singer’s perception of his or her own voice and can be a helpful guide in noisy surroundings . Young professional singers are often hired to augment amateur choruses. Feeling that the professional quartet has been hired to lead the rest of the choir, they often make the mistake of trying to accomplish that goal by singing louder than others in their sections. These singers should be advised to lead their section by singing each line as if they were soloists giving a voice lesson to the people standing next to them and as if there were a microphone in front of them recording their choral performance for their voice teacher. This approach usually not only preserves the voice but also produces a better choral sound.

How much do you practice and exercise your voice? How, when, and where do you use your voice?

Vocal exercise is as essential to the vocalist as exercise and conditioning of other muscle systems is to the athlete. Proper vocal practice incorporates scales and specific exercises designed to maintain and develop the vocal apparatus. Simply acting or singing songs and giving performances without routine studious concentration on vocal technique is not adequate for the vocal performer. The physician should know whether the vocalist practices daily, whether he or she practices at the same time daily, and how long the practice lasts. Actors generally practice and warm up their voices for 10 to 30 minutes daily, although more time is recommended. Most serious singers practice for at least 1 to 2 hours per day. If a singer routinely practices in the late afternoon or evening but frequently performs in the morning (religious services, school classes, teaching voice, choir rehearsals, and so forth), one should inquire as to the warm-up procedures preceding such performances and the cool-down procedures after voice use. Singing cold, especially early in the morning, may result in the use of minor muscular alterations to compensate for vocal insecurity produced by inadequate preparation. Such crutches can result in voice dysfunction. Similar problems may result from instances of voice use other than formal singing. School teachers, telephone receptionists, sales people, and others who speak extensively also often derive great benefit from 5 or 10 minutes of vocalization of scales first thing in the morning. Although singers rarely practice their scales too long, they frequently perform or rehearse excessively. This is especially true immediately before a major concert or audition, when physicians are most likely to see acute problems. When a singer has hoarseness and vocal fatigue and has been practicing a new role for 14 hours a day for the previous 3 weeks, no simple prescription can solve the problem. A treatment regimen can usually be designed to carry the performer safely through his or her musical obligations, however.

The physician should be aware of common habits and environments that are often associated with abusive voice behavior and should ask about them routinely. Screaming at sports events and at children are among the most common. Extensive voice use in noisy environments also tends to be abusive. These include noisy rooms, cars, airplanes, sports facilities, and other locations where background noise or acoustic design impairs auditory feedback. Dry, dusty surroundings may alter vocal fold secretions through dehydration or contact irritation, altering voice function. Activities such as cheerleading, teaching, choral conducting, amateur singing, and frequent communication with hearing-impaired people are likely to be associated with voice abuse, as is extensive professional voice use without formal training. The physician should inquire about the patient’s routine voice use and should specifically ask about any activities that frequently lead to voice change, such as hoarseness or discomfort in the neck or throat. Laryngologists should ask specifically about other activities that may be abusive to the vocal folds, such as weight lifting, aerobics, and the playing of some wind instruments.

Are you aware of misusing or abusing your voice during singing?

The most common technical errors involve excessive muscle tension in the tongue, neck, and larynx; inadequate abdominal support; and excessive volume. Inadequate preparation can be a devastating source of voice abuse and may result from limited practice, limited rehearsal of a difficult piece, or limited vocal training for a given role. The latter error is tragically common. In some situations, voice teachers are at fault and the singer and teacher must resist the impulse to show off the voice in works that are either too difficult for the singer’s level of training or simply not suited to the singer’s voice. Singers are habitually unhappy with the limitations of their voices. At some time or another, most baritones wish they were tenors and try to prove they can sing high C’s in Vesti la giubba . Singers with other vocal ranges have similar fantasies. Attempts to make the voice something that it is not, or at least that it is not yet, frequently are harmful.

Are you aware of misusing or abusing your voice during speaking?

Voice abuse or misuse should be suspected particularly in patients who complain of voice fatigue associated with voice use, patients whose voices are worse at the end of a working day or week, and in any patient who is chronically hoarse. Technical errors in voice use may be the primary cause of a voice complaint, or it may develop secondarily because of a patient’s effort to compensate for voice disturbance from another cause.

Dissociation of one’s speaking and singing voices is probably the most common cause of voice abuse problems in excellent singers. Too frequently, all the expert training in support, muscle control, and projection is not applied to a singer’s speaking voice. Unfortunately, the resultant voice strain affects the singing voice and the speaking voice. Such damage is especially likely to occur in noisy rooms and in cars, where the background noise is louder than it seems. Backstage greetings after a lengthy performance can be particularly devastating. The singer usually is exhausted and distracted, the environment is often dusty and dry, and generally a noisy crowd is present. Similar conditions prevail at postperformance parties, where smoking and alcohol worsen matters. These situations should be avoided by any singer who has vocal problems and should be controlled through awareness at other times.

Three particularly abusive and potentially damaging vocal activities are worthy of note. Cheerleading requires extensive screaming under the worst possible physical and environmental circumstances. It is a highly undesirable activity for anyone considering serious vocal endeavor. This conflict is common in younger singers because the teenager who is the high school choir soloist often is also student council president, yearbook editor, captain of the cheerleaders, and so on. Conducting, particularly choral conducting, can also be deleterious. An enthusiastic conductor, especially of an amateur group, frequently sings all four parts intermittently, at volumes louder than the entire choir, during lengthy rehearsals. Conducting is a common avocation among singers but must be done with expert technique and special precautions to prevent voice injury. Hoarseness or loss of soft voice control after conducting a rehearsal or concert suggests voice abuse during conducting. The patient should be instructed to record his or her voice throughout the vocal range singing long notes at dynamics from soft to loud to soft. Recordings should be made before rehearsal and following rehearsal. If the voice has lost range, control, or quality during the rehearsal, voice abuse has occurred. A similar test can be used for patients who sing in choirs, teach voice, or perform other potentially abusive vocal activities. Such problems in conductors can generally be managed by additional training in conducting techniques and by voice training, including warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Teaching singing may also be hazardous to vocal health. It can be done safely but requires skill and thought. Most teachers teach while seated at the piano. Late in a long, hard day, this posture is not conducive to maintenance of optimal abdominal and back support. Usually, teachers work with students continually positioned to the right or left of the keyboard. This positioning may require the teacher to turn his or her neck at a particularly sharp angle, especially when teaching at an upright piano. Teachers also often demonstrate vocal works in their students’ vocal ranges rather than their own, illustrating bad and good technique. If a singing teacher is hoarse or has neck discomfort, or his or her soft singing control deteriorates at the end of a teaching day (assuming that the teacher warms up before beginning to teach voice lessons), voice abuse should be suspected. Helpful modifications include teaching with a grand piano, sitting slightly sideways on the piano bench, or alternating student position to the right and left of the piano to facilitate better neck alignment. Retaining an accompanist so that the teacher can stand rather than teach from sitting behind a piano, and many other helpful modifications, are possible.

Do you have pain when you talk or sing?

Odynophonia, or pain caused by phonation, can be a disturbing symptom. It is not uncommon, but little has been written or discussed on this subject. A detailed review of odynophonia is beyond the scope of this publication. Laryngologists should be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of at least a few of the most common causes .

What kind of physical condition are you in?

Phonation is an athletic activity that requires good conditioning and coordinated interaction of numerous physical functions. Maladies of any part of the body may be reflected in the voice. Failure to maintain good abdominal muscle tone and respiratory endurance through exercise is particularly harmful because deficiencies in these areas undermine the power source of the voice. Patients generally attempt to compensate for such weaknesses by using inappropriate muscle groups, particularly in the neck, causing vocal dysfunction. Similar problems may occur in the well-conditioned vocalist in states of fatigue. These are compounded by mucosal changes that accompany excessively long hours of hard work. Such problems may be seen even in the best singers shortly before important performances in the height of the concert season.

A popular but untrue myth holds that great opera singers must be obese. The vivacious, gregarious personality that often distinguishes the great performer seems to be accompanied frequently by a propensity for excess, especially culinary excess. This excess is as undesirable in the vocalist as it is in most other athletic artists, and it should be prevented from the start of one’s vocal career. Appropriate and attractive body weight has always been valued in the pop music world and is becoming particularly important in the opera world as this formerly theater-based art form moves to television and film media. Attempts at weight reduction in an established speaker or singer are a different matter, however. The vocal mechanism is a finely tuned, complex instrument and is exquisitely sensitive to minor changes. Substantial fluctuations in weight frequently cause deleterious alterations of the voice, although these are usually temporary. Weight reduction programs for people concerned about their voices must be monitored carefully and designed to reduce weight in small increments over long periods. A history of sudden recent weight change may be responsible for almost any vocal complaint.

Have you noted voice or bodily weakness, tremor, fatigue, or loss of control?

Even minor neurologic disorders may be extremely disruptive to vocal function. Specific questions should be asked to rule out neuromuscular and neurologic diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, Parkinson disease, tremors, other movement disorders, spasmodic dysphonia, multiple sclerosis, central nervous system neoplasm, and other serious maladies that may present with voice complaints.

Do you have allergy or cold symptoms?

Acute upper respiratory tract infection causes inflammation of the mucosa, alters mucosal secretions, and makes the mucosa more vulnerable to injury. Coughing and throat clearing are particularly traumatic vocal activities and may worsen or provoke hoarseness associated with a cold. Postnasal drip and allergy may produce the same response. Infectious sinusitis is associated with discharge and diffuse mucosal inflammation, resulting in similar problems, and may actually alter the sound of a voice, especially the patient’s own perception of his or her voice. Futile attempts to compensate for disease of the supraglottic vocal tract in an effort to return the sound to normal frequently result in laryngeal strain. The expert singer or speaker should compensate by monitoring technique by tactile rather than by auditory feedback, or singing “by feel” rather than “by ear.”

Do you have breathing problems, especially after exercise?

Voice patients usually volunteer information about upper respiratory tract infections and postnasal drip, but the relevance of other maladies may not be obvious to them. Consequently the physician must seek out pertinent history.

Respiratory problems are especially important in voice patients. Even mild respiratory dysfunction may adversely affect the power source of the voice . Occult asthma may be particularly troublesome . A complete respiratory history should be obtained in most patients who have voice complaints, and pulmonary function testing is often advisable.

Have you been exposed to environmental irritants?

Any mucosal irritant can disrupt the delicate vocal mechanism. Allergies to dust and mold are aggravated commonly during rehearsals and performances in concert halls, especially older theaters and concert halls, because of numerous curtains, backstage trappings, and dressing room facilities that are rarely cleaned thoroughly. Nasal obstruction and erythematous conjunctivae suggest generalized mucosal irritation. The drying effects of cold air and dry heat may also affect mucosal secretions, leading to decreased lubrication, a scratchy voice, and tickling cough. These symptoms may be minimized by nasal breathing, which allows inspired air to be filtered, warmed, and humidified. Nasal breathing, whenever possible, rather than mouth breathing, is proper vocal technique. While the performer is backstage between appearances or during rehearsals, inhalation of dust and other irritants may be controlled by wearing a protective mask, such as those used by carpenters, or a surgical mask that does not contain fiberglass. This practice is especially helpful when sets are being constructed in the rehearsal area.

A history of recent travel suggests other sources of mucosal irritation. The air in airplanes is extremely dry, and airplanes are noisy . One must be careful to avoid talking loudly and to maintain good hydration and nasal breathing during air travel. Environmental changes can also be disruptive. Las Vegas is infamous for the mucosal irritation caused by its dry atmosphere and smoke-filled rooms. In fact, the resultant complex of hoarseness, vocal tickle, and fatigue is referred to as “Las Vegas voice.” A history of recent travel should also suggest jet lag and generalized fatigue, which may be potent detriments to good vocal function.

Environmental pollution is responsible for the presence of toxic substances and conditions encountered daily. Inhalation of toxic pollutants may affect the voice adversely by direct laryngeal injury, by causing pulmonary dysfunction that results in voice maladies, or through impairments elsewhere in the vocal tract. Ingested substances, especially those that have neurolaryngologic effects, may also adversely affect the voice. Nonchemical environmental pollutants, such as noise, can cause voice abnormalities also. Laryngologists should be familiar with the laryngologic effects of the numerous potentially irritating substances and conditions found in the environment. We must also be familiar with special pollution problems encountered by performers. Numerous materials used by artists to create sculptures, drawings, and theatrical sets are toxic and have adverse voice effects. In addition, performers are exposed routinely to chemicals encountered through stage smoke and pyrotechnic effects . Although it is clear that some of the special effects result in serious laryngologic consequences, much additional study is need to clarify the nature and scope of these occupational problems.

Do you smoke, live with a smoker, or work around smoke?

The effects of smoking on voice performance were reviewed recently in the Journal of Singing . Smoking of cigarettes, cigars, marijuana, and other substances affects the larynx, lungs, and other body systems adversely and should be discouraged strongly in all patients, particularly voice professionals.

Do any foods seem to affect your voice?

Various foods are said to affect the voice. Traditionally, singers avoid milk and ice cream before performances. In many people, these foods seem to increase the amount and viscosity of mucosal secretions. Allergy and casein have been implicated, but no satisfactory explanation has been established. In some cases restriction of these foods from the diet before a voice performance may be helpful. Chocolate may have the same effect and should be viewed similarly. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which may aggravate reflux or cause tremor. Voice patients should be asked about eating nuts. This question is important not only because some people experience effects similar to those produced by milk products and chocolate but also because they are extremely irritating if aspirated. The irritation produced by aspiration of even a small organic foreign body may be severe and impossible to correct rapidly enough to permit performance. Highly spiced foods may also cause mucosal irritation. In addition, they seem to aggravate reflux laryngitis. Coffee and other beverages containing caffeine also aggravate gastric reflux and may promote dehydration or alter secretions and necessitate frequent throat clearing in some people. Fad diets, especially rapid weight-reducing diets, are notorious for causing voice problems. Eating a full meal before a speaking or singing engagement may interfere with abdominal support or may aggravate upright reflux of gastric juice during abdominal muscle contraction.

Do you have morning hoarseness, bad breath, excessive phlegm, a lump in your throat, or heartburn?

Reflux laryngitis is especially common among singers and trained speakers because of the high intra-abdominal pressure associated with proper support and because of lifestyle. Singers frequently perform at night. Many vocalists refrain from eating before performances because a full stomach can compromise effective abdominal support. They typically compensate by eating heartily at postperformance gatherings late at night and then go to bed with a full stomach. Chronic irritation of arytenoid and vocal fold mucosa by reflux of gastric secretions may occasionally be associated with dyspepsia or pyrosis. The key features of this malady are bitter taste and halitosis on awakening in the morning, a dry or coated mouth, often a scratchy sore throat or a feeling of a lump in the throat, hoarseness, and the need for prolonged vocal warm-up. The physician must be alert to these symptoms and ask about them routinely; otherwise, the diagnosis is overlooked because people who have had this problem for many years or a lifetime do not even realize it is abnormal.

Do you have trouble with your bowels or belly?

Any condition that alters abdominal function, such as muscle spasm, constipation, or diarrhea, interferes with support and may result in a voice complaint. These symptoms may accompany infection, anxiety, various gastroenterologic diseases, and other maladies.

Are you under particular stress or in therapy?

The human voice is an exquisitely sensitive messenger of emotion. Highly trained voice professionals learn to control the effects of anxiety and other emotional stress on their voices under ordinary circumstances. In some instances, however, this training may break down or a performer may be inadequately prepared to control the voice under specific stressful conditions. Pre-performance anxiety is the most common example, but insecurity, depression, and other emotional disturbances are also generally reflected in the voice. Anxiety reactions are mediated in part through the autonomic nervous system and result in a dry mouth, cold clammy skin, and thick secretions. These reactions are normal, and good vocal training coupled with assurance that no abnormality or disease is present generally overcomes them. Long-term, poorly compensated emotional stress and exogenous stress (from agents, producers, teachers, parents, and so forth) may cause substantial vocal dysfunction and may result in permanent limitations of the vocal apparatus. These conditions must be diagnosed and treated expertly. Hypochondriasis is uncommon among professional singers, despite popular opinion to the contrary.

Recent publications have highlighted the complexity and importance of psychological factors associated with voice disorders . It is important for the physician to recognize that psychological problems may not only cause voice disorders but also delay recovery from voice disorders that were entirely organic in cause. Professional voice users, especially singers, have enormous psychologic investment and personality identifications associated with their voices. A condition that causes voice loss or permanent injury often evokes the same powerful psychologic responses seen following the death of a loved one. This process may be initiated even when physical recovery is complete if an incident, such as injury or surgery, has made the vocalist realize that voice loss is possible. Such a “brush with death” can have profound emotional consequences in some patients. It is essential for the laryngologist to be aware of these powerful factors and to manage them properly if optimal therapeutic results are to be achieved expeditiously.

Do you have problems controlling your weight? Are you excessively tired? Are you cold when other people are warm?

Endocrine problems warrant special attention. The human voice is extremely sensitive to endocrinologic changes. Many of these are reflected in alterations of fluid content of the lamina propria just beneath the laryngeal mucosa, which causes alterations in the bulk and shape of the vocal folds and result in voice change. Hypothyroidism and thyroiditis are well-recognized causes of such voice disorders, although the mechanisms are not fully understood . Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, muffling of the voice, loss of range, and a sensation of a lump in the throat may be present even with mild thyroid dysfunction. Even when thyroid function test results are within the low normal range this diagnosis should be entertained, especially if thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are in the high normal range or are elevated. Thyrotoxicosis may result in similar voice disturbances .

Do you have menstrual irregularity, cyclical voice changes associated with menses, recent menopause, or other hormonal changes or problems?

Voice changes associated with sex hormones are encountered commonly in clinical practice and have been investigated more thoroughly than have other hormonal changes . Although a correlation seems to exist between sex hormone levels and depth of male voices (higher testosterone and lower estradiol levels in basses than in tenors), the most important hormonal considerations in males occur during or related to puberty . Voice problems related to sex hormones are more common in female singers and tend to occur during menopause or several months after the cessation of hormone replacement therapy. It is always important to ask a female patient who complains of gradual onset of decreased range, increased instability, and vocal fatigue about her menstrual and hormonal status, particularly if she has performed for years without such difficulties .

Do you have jaw joint or other dental problems?

Dental disease, especially temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, introduces muscle tension in the head and neck, which is transmitted to the larynx directly through the muscular attachments between the mandible and the hyoid bone and indirectly as generalized increased muscle tension. These problems often result in decreased range, vocal fatigue, and change in the quality or placement of a voice. Such tension often is accompanied by excess tongue muscle activity, especially pulling of the tongue posteriorly. This hyperfunctional behavior acts through hyoid attachments to disrupt the balance between the intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal musculature. TMJ problems are also problematic for wind instrumentalists and some string players, including violinists. In some cases, the problems may actually be caused by instrumental technique. The history should always include information about musical activities, including instruments other than the voice.

Do you or your blood relatives have hearing loss?

Hearing loss is often overlooked as a source of vocal problems. Auditory feedback is fundamental to speaking and singing. Interference with this control mechanism may result in altered vocal production, particularly if the person is unaware of the hearing loss. Distortion, particularly pitch distortion (diplacusis) may also pose serious problems for the singer. This distortion seems to be attributable to aesthetic difficulties in matching pitch and also to vocal strain, which accompanies pitch shifts .

In addition to determining whether the patient has hearing loss, inquiry should also be made about hearing impairment occurring in family members, roommates, and other close associates. Speaking loudly to people who are hard of hearing can cause substantial, chronic vocal strain. This possibility should be investigated routinely when evaluating voice patients.

Have you suffered whiplash or other bodily injury?

Various bodily injuries outside the confines of the vocal tract may have profound effects on the voice. Whiplash, for example, commonly causes changes in technique, with consequent voice fatigue, loss of range, difficulty singing softly, and other problems. These problems derive from the neck muscle spasm, abnormal neck posturing secondary to pain, and consequent hyperfunctional voice use. Lumbar, abdominal, head, chest, supraglottic, and extremity injuries may also affect vocal technique and be responsible for the dysphonia that prompted the voice patient to seek medical attention.

Did you undergo any surgery before the onset of your voice problems?

A history of laryngeal surgery in a voice patient is a matter of great concern. It is important to establish exactly why the surgery was done, by whom it was done, whether intubation was necessary, and whether the anesthesiologist reported difficulty with the intubation. It is also important to ascertain whether voice therapy was instituted pre- or postoperatively, especially if the lesion is commonly associated with voice abuse (vocal nodules or vocal process granulomas). If the vocal dysfunction that sent the patient to the physician’s office dates from the immediate postoperative period, surgical or intubation trauma must be suspected.

Otolaryngologists frequently are asked about the effects of tonsillectomy on the voice. Singers, especially, may consult the physician after tonsillectomy and complain of vocal dysfunction. Certainly, removal of tonsils can alter the voice . Tonsillectomy changes the configuration of the supraglottic vocal tract. In addition, scarring alters pharyngeal muscle function, which is trained meticulously in the professional singer. Singers must be warned that they may have permanent voice changes after tonsillectomy; however, these can be minimized by dissecting in the proper plane by cold technique and minimal use of cautery, laser, or other thermal coagulation devices to lessen scarring. The singer’s voice generally requires 3 to 6 months to stabilize or return to normal after surgery, although it is generally safe to begin limited singing within 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. Postoperative speech therapy that begins 4 weeks after surgery to stretch the palatal musculature helps to limit the effects of palatal scarring. As with any procedure for which general anesthesia may be needed, the anesthesiologist should be advised preoperatively that the patient is a professional singer. Intubation and extubation should be performed with great care, and the use of nonirritating plastic rather than rubber or ribbed metal endotracheal tubes is preferred. Use of a laryngeal mask may be advisable for selected procedures for mechanical reasons, but this device is often not ideal for tonsillectomy and it can cause laryngeal injury, such as arytenoid dislocation.

Surgery of the neck, such as thyroidectomy, may result in permanent alterations of the vocal mechanism through scarring of the extrinsic laryngeal musculature. The cervical (strap) muscles are important in maintaining laryngeal position and stability of the laryngeal skeleton and they should be retracted rather than divided whenever possible. A history of recurrent or superior laryngeal nerve injury may explain a hoarse, breathy, weak or easily fatigable voice.

Thoracic and abdominal surgery interfere with respiratory and abdominal support. After these procedures, singing and projected speaking should be prohibited until pain has subsided and healing has occurred sufficiently to allow normal support. Abdominal exercises should be instituted before resumption of vocalizing. Singing and speaking without proper support are often worse for the voice than not using the voice for performance at all.

Other surgical procedures may be important factors if they necessitate intubation or if they affect the musculoskeletal system so that the person has to change stance or balance. For example, balancing on one foot after leg surgery may decrease the effectiveness of the support mechanism.

What medications and other substances do you use?

A history of alcohol abuse suggests the probability of poor vocal technique. Intoxication results in lack of coordination and decreased awareness, which undermine vocal discipline designed to optimize and protect the voice. The effect of small amounts of alcohol is controversial. Although many experts oppose its use because of its vasodilatory effect and consequent mucosal alteration, many people do not seem to be adversely affected by small amounts of alcohol, such as a glass of wine with a meal. Some people have mild sensitivities to certain wines or beers. Patients who develop nasal congestion and rhinorrhea after drinking beer, for example, should be made aware that they probably have a mild allergy to that particular beverage and should avoid it before voice commitments.

Patients frequently acquire antihistamines to help control postnasal drip or other symptoms. The drying effect of antihistamines may result in decreased vocal fold lubrication, increased throat clearing, and irritability, leading to frequent coughing. Antihistamines may be helpful to some voice patients but they must be used with caution and are best taken at bedtime to minimize daytime side effects.

When a voice patient seeking the attention of a physician is already taking antibiotics, it is important to find out the dose and the prescribing physician, if any, and whether the patient frequently treats himself or herself with inadequate courses of antibiotics often supplied by colleagues. Singers, actors, and other speakers sometimes have a sore throat shortly before important vocal presentations and start themselves on inappropriate antibiotic therapy, which they generally discontinue after their performance.

Diuretics are also popular among some performers. They are often prescribed by gynecologists at the vocalist’s request to help deplete excess water in the premenstrual period. They are not effective in the larynx in this scenario, because they cannot diurese the protein-bound water in the laryngeal ground substance. Unsupervised use of these drugs may cause dehydration and consequent mucosal dryness, placing the singer at risk for vocal fold tear and mucosal lesions.

Hormone use, especially the use of oral contraceptives, must be mentioned specifically during the physician’s inquiry. Women frequently do not mention them routinely when asked whether they are taking any medications. Vitamins and herbal supplements are also frequently not mentioned. Most vitamin therapies seem to have little effect on the voice. High-dose vitamin C (5 to 6 g/d), which some people use to prevent upper respiratory tract infections, seems to act as a mild diuretic and may lead to dehydration and xerophonia . Herbal remedies should be used by singers with caution, because the side-effect profile of most herbal remedies is unknown and many can cause mucosal drying.

Cocaine use is common, especially among pop musicians. This drug can be extremely irritating to the nasal mucosa, causes marked vasoconstriction, and may alter the sensorium, resulting in decreased voice control and a tendency toward vocal abuse.

Many pain medications, including aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, psychotropic medications, and many others, may be responsible for a voice complaint. So far, no adverse vocal effects have been reported with selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting (COX-2) anti-inflammatory medications, such as Celecoxib (Celebrex, Pfizer Inc., New York) and valdecoxib (Bextra, Pharmacia Corp., New York). The effects of other new medications, such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra, Pfizer Inc.) and medications used to induce abortion remain unstudied and unknown but it seems plausible that these types of medications may affect voice function, at least temporarily. Laryngologists must be familiar with the laryngologic effects of the many substances ingested medically and recreationally.