Vocal Polyp/Nodule Prevention
Vocal Polyp/Nodule
Prevention:
There are a number of things a singer or frequent speaker can do to prevent vocal nodules or polyps:
~ Sing within your range.
The sopranos and tenors that tense their neck muscles, increase breath pressure, and get purple in the face trying to reach a note are the ones in danger. The rule for these high-reaching singers: if you cannot sing the note softly, do not sing the note! Singing too high can result in glottic shock due to the vocal cords being brought together too forcefully.
For those “high-note-seekers,” use open vowels like “Mah” of “Faw” instead of vowels like “EE”; and sing legato with long smooth notes, instead of singing staccato.
~ Avoid excess muscular contraction during phonation.
The healthiest way to sing is to sing with a relaxed throat. The risk of vocal cord over-approximation greatly increases when a singer overexerts the vocal mechanism during phonation.
~ Try not to phonate too loud or too often.
Rest, rest, rest! The best thing a person can do to prevent polyps and nodules is to rest their voice regularly. A singer or speaker must be aware of vocal overuse on social and professional occasions. Vocal overuse can result in the calluse-like nodules and phonation at a great amplitude has been known to cause polyps.
