Pulling out of shows, losing voice on stage- this is the stuff of nightmares for performers.
Yet, it is often a very real experience for so many artists whose voice is their craft and the basis of their livelihood.
In our modern-day culture of ‘the show must go on’, artists often attack vulnerable voices with cocktails of drugs, sprays, and tonics – whatever gets them through. However, the body has its own agenda; and often it does not match our own.
I get it. My experience with chronic women’s health issues and spurts of acute respiratory episodes have led to total body depletion, vocal fatigue and loss of voice. I have had to cancel shows and teaching opportunities. My work as a Counsellor and Physiotherapist have also been occasionally affected, because, well, without a voice, there is no connection.
Often, I would throw every rule in the book at my symptoms - from vitamins and Chinese herbs, to vocal rehabilitation exercises - sometimes to no avail.
Amongst the frustration and disappointment, there must be surrender. The body signs must be heeded. Without body health there is no vocal health.
Vocal injury is a real threat to anyone who uses their voice professionally. In particular, singers are at an increased risk of laryngeal pathologies and symptoms associated with unrecognised vocal misuse and abuse (Heman-Ackah et al., 2008; Kwok and Eslick, 2017).
Vocal injury can be all encompassing. It encroaches on a variety of important life domains, including personal, financial, vocational, emotional, and psychological aspects (Kwok and Eslick, 2017).
Women may be nearly twice as likely to report a history of voice problems as men and represent up to 76% of voice clinicians’ referrals (Hunter et al., 2011). The truth is hormonal fluctuations during menstruation leads to vocal fatigue.
There is also research to suggest that emotional and psychological stress affects vocal health. A study by Gray (2018) demonstrated that students who experience moderate levels of stress or who live with depression, display vocal fatigue and are therefore susceptible to injury.
So, what is the take home message here?
To me, it is a stark reminder that a healthy voice is largely dependent on the health of the body and mind. An investment in overall, whole body health, is one of the biggest favours one can do for their singing voice.
So, if you use your voice often in your work or art, what are you doing to look after it and ensure its longevity?
What could you be doing differently?
What additional skills do you need to learn to best manage the onset of vocal fatigue and prevent injury?
And please – look after yourself. Your voice depends on it.
My name is Menaka Thomas. I am a Singer, Physiotherapist, and Counsellor and have a passion for health and well-being.
References:
Gray, C. C. (2018) "Relationship Between Vocal Fatigue and Physical/Psychological Factors in Prospective Vocal Professionals". Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7298
Heman-Ackah, Y. D., Sataloff, R. T., Hawkshaw, M. J., & Divi, V. (2008) How Do I Maintain Longevity Of My Voice? Journal of Singing, 64 (4), 467–472 http://www.vocapedia.info/_Library/JOS_files_Vocapedia/JOS-064-4-2008-467.pdf
Hunter, E. J., Tanner, K., & Smith, M. E. (2011) Gender differences affecting vocal health of women in vocally demanding careers, Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 36:3, 128-136
Kwok, M., Eslick, G. D. (2017) The Impact of Vocal and Laryngeal Pathologies Among Professional Singers: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Voice, 33 (1), 58–65.