2022 Volume 63 Issue 4 Pages 241-247
In Japan, voice therapy by speech therapist (STs) is rarely provided for professional singers with dysphonia. However, I believe that voice therapy by STs should be provided for professional singers who complain of singing voice problems that affect their work performance, even though their vocal cord lesions are minute. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the efficacy of voice therapy for professional singers with dysphonia and to provide some key pointers for undertaking voice therapy in practice.
The most important points of vocal hygiene advised to professional singers are: 1) avoid abuse and misuse of the voice other than singing, 2) keep the vocal cords moist, and 3) undertake vocal warm-up/cool-down. The following points should be kept in mind regarding vocal training: 1) intensive training should be provided whenever the patient is able to come to the clinic, 2) trial voice therapy should be provided and the most appropriate technique should be used, and 3) instruction in singing techniques (how to sing well) should be provided by a singing coach. The use of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises for vocal training has been reported to reduce damage from vocal cord contact and improve vocal function in singers.
