Very concerned. NEED FEEDBACK/ADVISE PLZ?!?!

[heltaskelta32]

I have an voice issue I would like some peoples opinion on, or similar stories, advise or their take.

11 weeks ago, I lost my voice at a festival, (first ever voice problem, silly, but never again) through shouting and screaming songs at the top of my voice for hours.

I couldn't talk properly for a few weeks (Hoarse voice) then my I was able to talk fine, but chose not to for about a month, but still after 12 weeks, the bottom few notes of my falsetto is very weak, and the rest of it I cant sing. I just get air when I attempt to sing those notes I used to have power and control over. I try to speak as minimally as possible, and stay away from loud environments.

I use my falsetto a lot in my RnB/Pop songs, and am working on a EP but is on hold until I can actually sing again, with no issue :-/ I also have shows booked in New York in Spring (5 months time). Music is my life and career, so this is incredibly scary for me.

My voice generally feel weak, as its a muscle and hasn’t been exercised a lot. Im unsure weather to try to start rebuilding its strength or to wait until I feel its healed to the point it was at before it was initially damaged?

I am in no pain whatsoever, but just feels like theres a limit on my voice.

I am awaiting to have seen an ENT doctor on the National Health Service (NHS) which could take upto 3 months to get seen? Didn't go prior to this because I thought vocal damage would have been gone by now.

Has anyone got any similar stories to this, suggestions or have anything to say on this. I would be incredibly thankful for any replies.

Thanks in advance :)

[gilad]

Hey Helta,

Take a look at the last post before yours. I am also having issues of mid/high range i get air, and I need to put much more effort to get a note...

[ronws]

I have an voice issue I would like some peoples opinion on, or similar stories, advise or their take.

11 weeks ago, I lost my voice at a festival, (first ever voice problem, silly, but never again) through shouting and screaming songs at the top of my voice for hours.

If one of my guitars breaks or has a problem that cannot be fixed, I can eventually buy another one. Drummers on tour have techs who replace worn out and busted heads, sometimes during a song.

Roadies stand off stage with spare cords, guitars that were tuned up since two songs ago. I saw Robert Cray change out guitars every few songs, his tech keeping things in shape.

There is only one voice and you cannot buy another. So, while you present this impossible situation of an up and coming album release and tour dates, guess what? They will have to take a back seat while you get well.

And though it may not be the case in your situation, the voice can be damaged irreparably. Evan Seinfeld from Biohazard is the clearest of example that I know of. His voice really is permanently damaged. And there is no surgery or rehab, at least for what he can afford, that will bring it back.

So, keep the album on hold, cancel or postpone the tour, do what is right for our voice. And asking a bunch of us fellow singers is not going to make your voice whole, again. Time and care will, with luck, do that.

I injured my voice before. Fortunately, I kicked my own butt hard enough to not do my stupid thing, again. And, fortunately, my damage was not as long-lasting as yours is. My damage, each of two times, lasted about two weeks.

[Joanna]

Helta Skelta:

If you can raise or borrow funds to get a private medical exam sooner, DO IT, for your peace of mind as well as quicker recovery. Use reference below to find a clinic where you can be seen by both an ENT and speech therapist who understand voice (not all ENTs really do). Then DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU!!

http://www.britishvoiceassociation.org.uk/voice_clinics.htm

One of the best UK teacher-therapists is Christina Shewell, www.shewellvoice.com, I think she is in Bristol but check. She might even have ideas on lower-cost ways to get examined. (I don't know her personally but in vocal-arts-medicine world she is highly respected.)

Meantime: the most useful approaches are (1) rest your voice when you can, but do 5 min at a time, a few times a day, of very simple trills and hums in whatever range is available. This is just to keep circulation and healing processes active, NOT to test your voice or make it sound better right away. (2) Don't force your voice to do anything that doesn't feel easy. Don't test it constantly, or try to "will" the strong sounds back. (3) Move the high-profile gigs from urgent schedule to 3-6 months later, so you have time for diagnosis AND treatment before putting your abilities on display where you need to be Great. Athletes get injured, so do vocalists, it happens. You need to take mental pressure OFF right now, if you can, so that stress doesn't slow down the body's ability to heal.

(4) Educate your singer friends about NOT BEING STUPID like screaming for hours!! As Ron expresses very well, each of us gets one set of vocal cords, and if we want them to perform exquisitely for artistic/career/self-esteem goals, we can not take them for granted in careless social settings. Let non-singers consider you an over-careful "Diva" or "Divo," or a pain-in-a** about quiet activities, less booze, zero cigarettes, etc. Let your experience and example teach others.

All the best to you -- Joanna

[ronws]

(4) Educate your singer friends about NOT BEING STUPID like screaming for hours!! As Ron expresses very well, each of us gets one set of vocal cords, and if we want them to perform exquisitely for artistic/career/self-esteem goals, we can not take them for granted in careless social settings. Let non-singers consider you an over-careful "Diva" or "Divo," or a pain-in-a** about quiet activities, less booze, zero cigarettes, etc. Let your experience and example teach others.

All the best to you -- Joanna

Exactly. People thought singers were being aloof, at best, snotty and elitist, at worst. When, it is actually about taking care of the instrument.

Ronnie James Dio felt there was only so much endurance in a voice, in a day. And he made his last for over 40 years, respecting that.

[Felipe Carvalho]

:( Sorry to hear that.

As rowns and Joanna said, do whatever is within your means to haste the doc visit and rehab your voice, even if it means squeezing the budget a bit... Its your working tool... Dont risk it meanwhile.

I strongly recommend considering technical instruction afterwards to work on your voice endurance, health management and get strategies for maintenance and to deal with the demand, as well as a good orientation on vocal health to minimize the risks.

GL hope you get well soon.