Oh no! L. writes,
I am an Episcopal Priest and specifically a school chaplain. I have been suffering from laryngitis for two weeks now. I will eventually see the ear/nose/throat doctor, but a person doesn’t get in there immediately (even when she starts to cry about Easter, etc.)! People have been very kind and understanding, and I have been able to adapt my teaching style to cope with little or now voice, but I am beyond frustrated at this point. I am discouraged! I hear horror stories about people enduring this sort of thing for a month or more – not an option! Have you “been there/done that?” Any wisdom? Any secret remedies? Any sanity tips? Thanks so much, L.
And I responded:
Oh sweetie! My sympathies are with you!
Right now you just need to rest the vocal chords as much as possible and rest. Hydrate like crazy, of course.
I hurt my voice one summer while teaching camp and doing a production of “Fiddler On the Roof” at night and since that time, have strained it once more – while teaching during the day and doing a show at night. Sometimes our schedules are just really hard.
The only thing I can suggest is more of a proactive thing for next time. I know it doesn’t really help you now, but I found that doing regular vocal exercises and warm-ups is the key to avoiding laryngitis and vocal strain. I was very sick last week with a flu and bronchitis, which definitely affected my voice. I had to miss last Sunday of preaching but was able to get into shape for this week by doing vocal warm-ups every day, getting my vocal production back down into my diaphragm and out of my throat, and taking steam showers. I also believe that a neti pot (see the archives on that on BTFM) is a huge help for general hydration and healing. Last winter when I was appearing in “Urinetown,” teaching and doing parish ministry I relied very much on vocal warm-ups every day, and making a pot of hot, strong mint tea with lots of fresh lemon and honey. The lemon is astringent so you really need the honey in there, or slippery elm bark or something else for soothing properties.
Last but not least, try your chiropractor if you have one. Mine is a wonder worker with the voice, believe it or not, having saved me a few times from vocal strain by working on the muscles around the vocal mechanism. In fact, now that I think about it, I have always seen Scott during the run of a show when a Friday-Sunday musical theatre peforming schedule plus Sunday morning preaching/teaching duties have left me very protective of my pipes. See if anyone you know has a great chiro.( I never, ever let him snap my neck. That’s just my thing. No neck cracking. Other than that I trust him with my life).
I know there are posts in the archives on this, so do a keyword search and see what comes up. It is very important that you NOT whisper. Always speak full out, with a supported tone, and keep up with your core strengthening exercises (which I believe all ministers should do for posture and vocal strength), ab crunches, etc. Take walks in the fresh air. Try a non-drying sinus medicine — sinus drip can be horror on the throat and voice!!
Eat well, sleep as much as you can. And do NOT freak out, as tension further constricts the voice. Clip on a lavalier mic, tuck a lozenge into the corner of your cheek, preach slowly, repeat phrases that don’t come out, and if you simply cannot speak just make plans to have someone else do it for you. It happens, hon. I wrote up all of last week’s service and handed it off to wonderful lay leaders who “performed” it all for the congregation. Sometimes you just have to, and even for Easter.
Keep your neck and chest WARM.
And that’s all the motherly advice I can think of right now, but definitely get thee to a vocal coach or voice teacher to learn some warm-ups so that you strengthen your mechanism in general.
Much love and healing prayers,
PB
To take care of the voice issues, you will need to address the cause(s) of the laryngitis. Your little vocal folds are very delicate and susceptible to damage from all sources – smoking, alcohol, allergies, infections, dehydration, etc – way more than just voice overuse. An ENT or a speech pathologist is pretty helpful here for identifying the causes and forming a plan for prevention.
Drink lots of water and some soothing tea (you’re Episcopalian after all!), get in to the ENT, do the Neti pot in case you have some sinus stuff, but do not force talking. I know I’ll be the lone voice saying this, but you can whisper without fear – speaking requires you to vibrate your vocal cords, which do not vibrate when you whisper. The real concern is that you will vibrate your vocal cords when they are injured (as they are now) and you can do more damage. My official opinion as a licensed speech pathologist who hasn’t examined you is you’re better off whispering than forcing a voice, but in moderation.
And in the meantime, St Blaise help!
How very Alexander Technique of you, PB! 🙂
As someone who works in Disabilities Studies (which includes temporary ones), have you thought of some sort of amplification system? These days, you can get a microphone and an amp for a reasonable price, and depending on where you are you might want to look into resale shops or pawn shops for one that is good quality but previously loved.
Radio Shack sells halfway decent clip on microphones for about $30 that plug into a computer or speakers. You’d be surprised how much mileage you can get from a “cheap pair of speakers,” to quote Billy Joel.
Feel better!
I saw this recent clip of an interview with Paul Simon about how he has kept his voice undamaged after singing for so many years. His reply is instructive:
no smoking, caffeine, little dairy or alcohol
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/42598920#42595792
As a soprano of a certain age, I know that women’s voices have a different pattern of change than men’s voices do. Our voices don’t break when we are teens, we do tend to develop vibrato and perhaps a richer tone as we age; I know I’ve lost top notes.
A website that might be helpful is:
http://www.singingvoice.net/health.html
Now, although I’m not a doctor or a voice coach:
Mother L., laryngitis going on for three weeks is something you should be taking to a doctor, even if not an ENT. Have you had a lot of heartburn? Maybe acid reflux is playing a part. Are you getting over a cold? Maybe you have a bacterial infection that antibiotics could help. Do you use an inhaler for asthma? All of these might have an effect on your speaking or singing voice (I hope you don’t have to chant the Mass!). Your primary care physician might be able to direct you to the right specialist, if you should need someone other than an ENT.
And finally, of course, prayer:
May you breathe IN the Holy Spirit, so that the words of your mouth, however they sound, convey that Spirit to the hearts of your hearers. Amen.
[Wonderful, wonderful comment!!! Thanks, Allison!! – PB]
Every single preaching class needs a session on vocal care! As a trained singer, I think that multiple issues with newbie preachers (volume, enunciation, posture) could be improved with a class or two in how to use one’s voice healthfully. Because proclaimation of the Word is so important to our traditions and to our spiritualities, pastors need to know how to use our voices and care for them reverently. These tiny, delicate folds of skin enable us to do our jobs daily, and we should love them!
Thank you for this post! Perhaps you could offer to teach a vocal care for pastors class at your local seminary.