Throat problems

Michael Browns · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

I have a strange problem, I think. My voice changes throughout the day. For the first few hours in the morning, my voice is deep and booming. Then as the days wears on, I can't reach those low registers anymore.

I have to clear my throat quite a bit during the day, and I try to do it as gently as possible, but I'm thinking maybe the coughing and throat clearing is the problem. (No, I don't smoke) I've tried things like warming my throat with tea and a warm magic bag. I've tried Advil, thinking maybe my throat is somehow inflamed. I've tried coaxing my voice lower, to it's normal register, but nothing works.

This seems to have happened over about the past year or two. My voice used to be deep all day long.

Needless to say, I try to do most of my work in the morning these days.

Does anyone else have this problem? Has anyone come up with a way to fix it? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Kathleen Keesling · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 746

Hey Michael. Sorry to hear your dilemma.

How old are you? Did you just recently start any new medications? ...or develop any new allergies?

Michael Browns · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Kevin Miller · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 142

Michael,

First off Advil (or any other OTC anti-imflammatory) is really only helpful when your voice is too far gone, and the pain is truly noticable. As a VO and a vocalist, I too suffer from allergies, and it sounds suspiciously similar to my symptoms. First: TELL YOUR DOCTOR! If need be he can refer you to an ENT (ear, nose throat) Specialist, who'll make sure what it is(be sure to tell them you're a VO, they will treat in a similar manner to sports medicine), and if necessary, give you something that won't aggravate things further. Second: WATER, WATER, WATER.nuff said. Last: WARM UP. It's like any other physical activity, if you don't stretch first, you're gonna pull something. Hope this helps.

Kathleen Keesling · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 746

Kevin beat me to it...an allergy, of course, causes a histamine reaction in your body. So the inflammation and possibly whatever effect the medicine has going on could very possibly cause this change.

I do agree with Kevin to seek advice from your doctor and it is always great advice to hydrate for your overall health.

Your probably having only slight voice changes at your age (I'm 37 and noticing mine), so I don't think its age as much as other outside factors...but I'm no Doctor...but I saw one once on TV! Wink

Anyone have any luck with a Eucalyptus steam? Or does that cause any additional adverse voice reactions?

Question

Be Well.

Vance Elderkin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 184

Michael:

A lot of medicines have throat dryness as a side effect, which could be causing some of your coughing/throat-clearing issues. Allergies to dust mites are tough, too. Be sure you're well-hydrated. And when you can, try swallowing intead of throat-clearing...it's gentler.

You might also consider a throat mosturizing product, like Entertainer's Secret or Thayer's Dry Mouth Spray.

And by all mean, see an ENT to make sure that nothing else is going on.

Lydia Scholten · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

Hi, I'm a newbie to v/o but an 'oldie' in speech/voice therapy...so...my first question would be how much of a vocal load are you taking on? If you do a lot of vocal work early in the day, then the tension can build up...as your muscle tension and tonus (whole body and around your voicebox) increases, your pitch will go up and everything gets, sounds and feels tighter. Often, as your overall tension goes up, your tongue root will be more retracted into your throat area; this also results in a rather pinched, constricted tonal quality.

The first thing i'd suggest would be to take more frequent breaks from vocal work if you can - 2: stretch your whole body, do neck, facial and oral stretches (like the types used by singers), 3: drink water, 4: do soft gentle resonant humming through your mid range.

Allergies that cause swelling of the vocal folds themselves would tend to lower your pitch, not raise it. However, the typical response to mucus, swelling etc is to tighten up the whole system, so muscle tension can play a part in raising perceived pitch. Meds can often have a drying effect.
Yes, try swallowing instead, and stop throat clearing as much as possible.
Yes, get checked out by an ENT - he/she should be specialized in working with singers and vocal performers (not ears and noses!) - there might be a SLP on staff in which case you'd be well advised to have a few sessions together to learn techniques to counteract vocal fatigue...

Hope this helps! Best of luck.
Lydia

Christina Arthur · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

Hi, I'm a newbie in v/o but have done a fair bit of voice training, both classical jazz and some rock'n'roll... and yes, allergies can be an issue! If it is an airborne allergy, you can try what is referred to as a nasal flush - it is something tha tcan be done at home, it is a simple mild saline solution that you flush through your nasal cavities. it works, but of course, the waters runs back out your nose, but it beats taking an allergy pill that dries out your voice. an Ear/nose throat doctor will know about it, so should a good GP. another thing to try to lubricate yoru throat - Vocal Eze - can be purchased on-line for $10, and some music stores carry it. it is a spray, and helps ease pain, mousturizes, and is great for dry climates.

of course, vocal exercise work great - Seth Riggs has a CD that is great for warmups.