What is a Voice Rehabilitation Coach?

Singers may come for rehabilitation work either through referral from a voice clinic, or you may self-refer.

If you have come from a clinic, you will:

• Have had an endoscopic examination of your larynx and vocal folds.
• Have had some sessions with a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Already know some of the nature of the issue with your voice.
• You will have had some guidance for looking after your health and for changing some of your habitual usage.

At your first session with the Vocal Rehabilitation Coach (VRC), they may already have some information from the clinic or the SLT. However, it's probably better to assume that they need to hear your story again. A full history is essential in order to form a complete picture, and to devise a holistic pathway for your vocal recovery.

If you have self-referred to a VRC, they will need a full history and to listen carefully to your voice. If there is any suggestion of pathology, they will recommend a voice clinic appointment.

What will the VRC do?

• Talk to you about your voice problem to find out more about you and what's been going on.
• Listen to your voice, speaking and singing
• Advise on techniques and exercises to address vocal habits, these are not necessarily genre-specific
• Plan to have three or four sessions with you
• Communicate progress and suggestions with your current singing teacher, the SLT or your musical director; if this is appropriate.

The aim of voice rehabilitation

• To enable you to achieve the sounds that you wish, in the easiest way possible for you.
• To give you the tools and techniques that will help you to relearn any unhelpful habits of voice use.
• Equip you to return to your work without fear of a recurrence of the initial voice problem.