Singing Voice Rehabilitation
What is Singing Voice Rehabilitation and who needs it?
Every singer at some point in their career will have a problem with their voice. This may be anything including:
If you are worried about your voice, it’s important to have a diagnosis from an ENT consultant who is a voice specialist. This will normally be followed up by some speech therapy work. Then the singing voice rehabilitation specialist steps in. I am one of the few Voice Rehabilitation Coaches to be endorsed by the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. In order to be accredited by them, one needs to have an in-depth knowledge of functional anatomy, vocal pathology, endoscopic observation, counselling skills, palpation skills, regular participation in Voice Clinics and regular supervision. Every one of these competencies is backed-up by training and certification so it is unsurprising that there are so few of us.
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:
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?
The aim of vocal rehabilitation
Voice Rehabilitation can be for anyone, any singer of any age or vocal genre
We are so pleased to hear that his voice is ok – we will now communicate this to his singing teacher. I have put a mirror next to the piano now so that he can practice the tummy breathing that you showed him.”