Recovering from Illness as a Singer

Note: I am not a medical professional and therefore this is not intended as medical advice, but as a collection of suggestions for caring for your singing voice while recovering from illness. If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms that affect your speaking voice 2-4 weeks after other illness symptoms have resolved, you may wish to see a Speech Pathologist for professional help.

Voice Use

• If it is painful to make sound, VOCAL REST!

• Try to avoid coughing where possible, as this is rather strenuous for the vocal folds.

• Minimise voice use and avoid the extremes of your range, but make sure to continue with gentle daily use to decrease swelling and recovery time.

• Gentle SOVTs within a relaxed range can help increase the function of the vocal folds and are a good way to maintain your voice through illness.

• Pay careful attention to how speaking/singing feels. If it feels easy, you can gently increase range and use. If it feels effortful or tiring, stick to a natural speech range and rest.

• Avoid whispering, as this can worsen vocal fatigue and injury. Either don’t speak at all, or speak with as much clarity as you can manage.

Hydration and dehydration

• Hydration is key - aim to drink 2L of water per day minimum.

• While decongestants can be helpful for drying up mucus production, that same mucus is important to keep the vocal folds lubricated for healthy phonation, so avoid them where possible.

• You may find that lozenges or cold water help curb the instinct to cough. Just be sure to avoid menthol or eucalyptus lozenges, as the vapour from these is very drying to the vocal folds.

• Steaming can help hydrate your vocal folds directly and clear your sinuses, but be sure not to add any eucalyptus oil to the water and minimise strenuous speaking and singing for 20 minutes after steaming.

• While drinking hot tea will not hydrate the vocal folds directly (as nothing we swallow touches our vocal folds), you should absolutely drink it if it makes you feel better!

Hannah’s Favourite Remedies

• Turmeric tablets - swelling of the vocal folds

• Gaviscon Dual Action - reflux

• Sinus/nasal rinse - sinus congestion

• Manuka honey - irritated throat/pharynx

• Betadine Gargle - irritated throat/pharynx