I've been having vocal trouble for a while, but it got progressively worse over the summer. As I attempted practicing my song for my brother's wedding, I was noticing problems, but I attributed it to not having practiced in a while! Then I worked at a summer camp where I was constantly using my voice, and often having to use my voice at louder levels than normal. Everyday I'd drive home hating how my throat/voice felt. Everything just ached!
Then school started. I was an orientation leader, and orientation leaders are notorious for yelling- that's just how they get pumped up. But I knew I wouldn't be able to participate in all the yelling and boisterous activities because I didn't want to hurt my voice. We went camping at Passages for a week, and being in the elements and talking to new students 24/7, my voice really began to not like me. I got back and immediately emailed my voice professors.
I set up an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor) and had a fiber-laryngoscope inserted into my nose so that the doctor could look at my vocal cords.
This is what they put up my nose. Fun, no?
The doctor diagnosed me with small Singer's nodes...or Vocal nodules. NOT what I wanted to hear. Basically, this is what my vocal cords look like
(*disclaimer, this isn't a picture of my larynx. But a lot of people are unclear about what nodes actually are and have been asking me...so here you go)
Nodes are basically calluses on my vocal cords that prevent proper oscillation. The folds don't close all the way when they vibrate together for phonation, and therefore a lot of air escapes and pitch is lost. It makes singing a chore and very effortful. It also makes talking quite exhausting, which I'm finding out more and more.
I've not been able to sing at all this semester, which is breaking my heart. I sit in both of my choirs getting to listen to the awesome music taking place around me, but I'm not able to partake. I'm behind on my solo vocal work, which is unfortunate because I wanted to give a recital this April, but we'll have to see how I progress. And I was fortunate to be cast in the opera, but I have to learn my role mentally until I'm better enough to sing.
So, many might be wondering, "How do you get rid of those?"
Well...That's a good question, because right now doctors are making me ANGRY! I am supposed to attend speech therapy to work with a speech pathologist, but there have been problems with my insurance and blah blah blah. So hopefully I'll be working with one soon to correct how I speak (because that's where my speech problems lie...not in my singing voice).
I am taking medication for allergies and acid reflux to help control irritation to my cords.
Hopefully with time, patience, and the willingness to quit talking as much and really focus on my speech therapy exercises, I'll be able to overcome these nodes. They have certainly been putting a damper on my life and I'm ready to sing again!
If anyone wants to learn more for any reason, you can look at
