Vocal Strain: When to Sing and When to Give it a Rest

Q: When should a singer consult a doctor about a vocal problem or injury?

A: While there are many variables involved in deciding when to see a voice doctor, there is one situation where you should not hesitate: If you experience sudden voice change or hoarseness that does not resolve within minutes, that may be a sign of a serious voice injury. This voice change may typically follow a cough, sneeze, yell, or even singing a difficult note.

If it does not resolve within 10-15 minutes, you may have ruptured a blood vessel on one of your vocal folds. This is called a vocal fold hemorrhage and should be assessed by a knowledgeable voice doctor as soon as possible. If diagnosed and treated early, you have a better chance of preventing more serious vocal fold damage. If you experience such an event, stop all voice use, including speaking until you are examined.

If you have hoarseness (no matter the cause) that does not resolve within 10-14 days, consult a voice doctor. If you have been experiencing the gradual onset of a vocal problem and it is not related to an illness, see a voice doc. If you are taking voice lessons and have an ongoing technical issue that one or more teachers cannot help you to resolve, then consider seeing a voice doc.

Q: When I get a cold, is there a rule of thumb for when it is safe to sing and when it is not?

A: Just because you have a cold does not mean you should not sing. So how do you know what to do? The short answer is: If it is effortful to sing, then don't. If singing causes pain or strain, stop. If your throat is tight or tense or uncomfortable, stop singing.

In sports, "No pain, no gain" is often heard. This is not true in the world of vocal athletics. One of the most important things a singer can learn is what a healthy, relaxed throat feels like. Once you know what your comfort baseline is, you can more easily decide when singing becomes too effortful, i.e. risky.