Hyponasality

[stew503]

Recently, I am spotting nasality (specifically hyponasal, m's, n's, ng's affected - nice clear vowels though :-) (no breathiness / turbulance) ).

Now i've been doing the usual in depth searching, but more information i'm after will not be published in the usual places. So - Here's the Q.

Within the medical & singing coaching circles (i.e. doc's or referrals to ENT / coached noticing nasality / published material) is there an increase in hyponasality due to allergies (i.e. due to dog / cat winter coat shedding) or) an increase in Adenoid issues specifically within the Dec - March / April, than manifest symptoms of hyponasal speech ?

Colds, I can understand and ... possibly colds (Through Dec to Jan) passing over to allergies (March) may result in a 3 (or so) month term of closed nasality, but if no symptoms of cold occurred, then What is the usual reasoning published (or known by coaches) i.e. allergies (pets / dander / dust mite), obstruction, T&A issues ?

Hence the Q of ... within the 3 months Dec - Mar - Do you notice (or is it published) of if there an increase in referrals / heard hyponasality (and what is the usual reason (i.e. allergies) or .. is there an increase in adenoid issues within that time (and... again what is the reason).

Thanks.

[stew503]

.. I will add, obviously the usual advice of allergies / anti histamine and decongestant (however not for too long as to cause rebound), before advising scoping for enlarged Adenoid issues is given, but I ask the Q in order to get other opinions and expertise.

I was reading one article from Google Scholar re Adenoid issues in children and long term outcome (i.e. as spaces in cavities grow), and will attempt to find it and post details. But doesn't affect my question.

[Joanna]

Stew -

In my experience from the medical world -- the timing of allergy inflammation depends a lot on climate. here in LA, everything buds & blooms in late winter, so Jan-April can be worst for allergies. In Boston, where I used to live, April-May would be heavier, and throughout the summer depending on particular sensitive plants. I also hear complaints at this time of year because in colder weather people have heaters on, and extra dust, dryness or even fumes can fly around the house.

The body reacts to any/all such irritations by sending extra fluid & phlegm, so tissues swell up. Effect can be to block block nasal passages & block your sensation of resonance, distort sound etc; but it's most often an effect deep inside the nose and upper throat. Adenoids typically disappear by adolescence, so its less likely they'd be acting up. But every Body is unique, so you might have some residual adenoid tissue swelling up as well (sitting above soft palate).

Best thing is to see an ear-nose-throat MD who can put a tiny camera inside & see what's going on. Then tell them that as a singer you want to avoid medications like that dry the tissues too much.( claritin or allegra) Mucinex and sudafed-PE are pretty safe; A steroid spray might be reasonable at least for the worst months. If there is significant mechanical blockage, MD might recommend surgery, and this typically does not have vocal risks, most singers I know who've had "roto-rooting" are happy with it. Just get several opinions & go to the MD most familiar with vocal arts.

Equally useful though is to check the rest of your wellness -- are you supporting your body with healthy food , exercise, stress-relief activities, basic vitamins? Even positive attitude & healthy social connections have been shown to increase resilience, decrease sensitivity to pollens/grasses/germs.

hope this helps -

[ronws]

Here, in Texas, is where weather starts. We get either pacific cool fronts that jump the Rockies and head this way, or canadian or arctic cold fronts that bank of the front range and come racing down the plains. This then encounters the desert dryline in west Texas and both are sucker-punched by huge plumes of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. That, mixed with normally mild winters means we can bloom early. As well as the cool fronts carrying spores and pollen down from the mountain states, like Colorado. As I like to call it, Texas is allergy central. The first few minutes of any morning for me is hacking up stuff and blowing my nose.