If you are a member of a barbershop quartet and have been performing at local venues for many years, experiencing laryngitis can be devastating if you have impending plans to perform for a large group of people. Use the tips below to deal with the loss of your voice and begin the healing process so that you can sing your heart out with confidence on the day of your next planned performance.

Consult With A Specialist

Consult with a practitioner who specializes in voice disorders—like those at Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic, Inc.—to determine how severe the laryngitis is and if there are any underlying problems that could have caused the sudden loss of your voice. Overusing your vocal cords can result in them becoming irritated and inflamed. As a result, it can be difficult to use your voice, and it may even cause you discomfort if you try to do so.

A specialist may suggest that you give singing a rest for several days so that your vocal cords will have time to heal. Provide key details pertaining to the loss of your voice, such as how often you sing, the song selections that you and your group members have been performing, if you have been exposed to cigarettes or other items that could have irritated your larynx, and how vocal you are as a person on a regular basis. This information may help determine what caused the laryngitis.

Take Care Of Your Health And Avoid Irritants

Take care of your health by eating and drinking healthy foods and beverages, getting plenty of rest, and bundling up before heading out the door if it is cold outside. Avoid irritants including pipes, cigars, cigarettes, or products that emit strong fumes. Place a throat lozenge on your tongue, and slowly suck on the lozenge if your throat feels dry. Drink herbal tea or another soothing beverage to reduce discomfort. If the specialist requested that you take an anti-inflammatory medication, follow the dosage instructions each day.

Rest Your Voice

Try to reduce the amount that you speak and avoid singing altogether until laryngitis is no longer an issue. If you are employed at a business that requires you to speak each day, request that an aide be assigned to help you communicate with others.

Perhaps you could write down what you would like to say, and an aide could read it back to the person who you wish to communicate with—or you could send emails to the aide that provide detailed information about what you need to convey to someone else, and they can share the information to the person you named.