How To Treat A Hoarse Voice - A Singer's Guide

This week, we're tackling a common challenge faced by many singers – vocal hoarseness. Whether you're currently dealing with it or just want to be prepared for the future, we've got you covered!

The Common Mistakes:

One of the most common mistakes beginner singers make is singing when their voice is hoarse. In this episode, we'll explore why this is a mistake and what you can do instead. Additionally, we'll discuss the importance of treating hoarseness rather than ignoring it and only focusing on the symptoms.

Becoming a Trained Singer:

Our goal is to guide you towards becoming a trained singer who can confidently navigate through vocal challenges. Trained singers not only know how to treat hoarseness but also understand the root causes, allowing for a holistic approach to vocal health.

The Four Pillars of the "Sing Yourself to Freedom" Formula:

Before we delve into treating hoarseness, let's revisit the four pillars that form the foundation of our approach:

1. Mindset

2. Vocal technique

3. Connection

4. Creativity

This week, our focus is on the Vocal Technique Pillar, specifically addressing the issue of hoarseness.

Understanding Hoarseness:

What exactly is hoarseness? It's a change in the sound of your voice, often accompanied by raspiness or a feeling of mucus. Anatomically, hoarseness occurs when your vocal cords are swollen, making it challenging for them to close properly. This results in an airy, breathy, and unstable sound.

Treating Hoarseness – The Tools:

To effectively treat hoarseness, it's crucial to identify the root cause. Here are some tools and steps you can take:

• Vocal Rest:

   Silence is golden. Avoid talking, shouting, or even whispering. Whispering can strain your vocal cords further, so opt for complete vocal rest.

• Steaming: Rehydrate your vocal cords with steam. Carefully inhale steam for 2-5 minutes to soothe and heal.

• Nebulizing: Use a nebulizer with saline to reach vocal cords faster. My recommendation is using this Vocal Mist nebulizer.

• Specific Voice Usage: Practice SVOT exercises (e.g., lip trills, humming, 'BRRRR' sounds, or singing on a straw) to use your voice in a controlled and healing manner.

As we wrap up this insightful journey into the world of vocal health and treating hoarseness, it's essential to emphasize the power of the tools at your disposal. Hoarseness is a common challenge faced by many singers, but armed with the right knowledge and tools, you can confidently address and overcome it.

Often times, hoarseness comes up because of an incorrect voice use. Having a good vocal technique foundation can help you overcome this. If you're curious to work on your vocal technique, then I'd highly recommend you going through this free training: https://www.singinginsiders.com/30-days-to-better-singing-workshop-opt-in-page 

See you next week!