Why Is My Singing Voice Hoarse? – Private Voice Therapy and Vocal Coaching for Singers

Why Is My Singing Voice Hoarse? – Private Voice Therapy and Vocal Coaching for Singers

If you’re a singer, nothing is more frustrating than your voice not working the way it should. Maybe your high notes feel unreachable, your voice sounds hoarse, or singing is physically uncomfortable. Even small changes can be stressful, affect your performances, and have a real impact on your singing—whether it’s your career or your hobby.

Many singers experience vocal strain, vocal nodules, or muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), and often struggle because they’ve never been taught the techniques to sing safely, maintain vocal health, and prevent damage to their voice.

Our private voice therapy and vocal coaching for singers helps you recover your voice, improve technique, and sing with confidence—with no waiting list.

Why is my singing voice hoarse?

Hoarseness can develop from vocal nodules, muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), or other voice-related conditions. Many singers experience challenges with both their speaking and singing voices, often due to overuse, demanding schedules, or insufficient vocal technique. Seeking help early is essential to prevent long-term damage. We recommend asking your GP for a referral to an ENT specialist for assessment. In the meantime, we are able to support singers while they await their appointment, helping them care for and protect their voices. The waiting lists for NHS voice therapy can be months so its best to start voice therapy as soon as possible to get you on the road to recovery.

Why have I lost my high notes?

When the voice is affected by Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) or Vocal Nodules, the fine adjustments needed for higher pitches become much harder.

• With Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD), excessive muscle tension around the larynx makes the vocal folds stiff and less flexible. High notes require the folds to stretch, thin, and vibrate quickly, but tension prevents this movement, so the upper range often feels strained, tight, or unreachable.

• With vocal nodules, small swellings develop on the vocal folds from repeated strain or overuse. These prevent the folds from closing and vibrating cleanly, especially on delicate high notes, which may come out breathy, weak, or disappear entirely.

Because high notes rely on precise and efficient vocal fold movement, they are often the first part of the range to be affected when there’s a problem. The good news is that with the right voice therapy and targeted singing exercises, it’s possible to reduce strain, protect your voice, and gradually regain your full upper range.

Why does singing feel painful or tight?

Singing can feel painful or tight when the voice is affected by muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) or vocal nodules. cause excess tension around the larynx makes the vocal folds stiff and less flexible, so producing notes — especially higher ones — requires more effort and can feel uncomfortable. Nodules, small swellings on the vocal folds, interfere with smooth vibration and closure, often causing strain, fatigue, or a tight sensation in the voice.

Straining the voice without professional guidance can make these issues worse, which is why expert therapy is so important.

Through therapy, underlying tension is released, breath support and technique are improved, and vocal stamina is gradually rebuilt. This approach helps singers restore comfort, ease, and confidence in both speaking and singing. With consistent practice and skilled guidance, most singers are able to sing without pain and regain control over their full vocal range.

Can overuse or demanding schedules damage my voice?

Yes. Long rehearsals, consecutive performances, and teaching or recording can strain your voice. Repeated strain makes it harder to sing high notes, maintain stamina, or speak comfortably.

Our private voice therapy and vocal coaching addresses overuse with:

• Safe vocal techniques

• Vocal stamina training

• Recovery strategies between performances

This helps you maintain a strong, resilient voice, even under demanding schedules.

Can a vocal coach help with a damaged voice?

Absolutely. Our private voice therapy and vocal coaching for singing combines clinical expertise with practical singing guidance to address:

• Technique – ensuring healthy, efficient vocal production

• Muscle tension – releasing strain that can limit range or cause discomfort

• Stamina – building endurance for both speaking and singing

• Performance demands – preparing the voice for real-world singing and speaking situations

We begin with targeted voice therapy for the spoken voice to stabilize and protect it, then gradually progress into singing exercises. This structured approach helps singers recover, strengthen, and safely expand their voice while reducing the risk of further damage.

What does voice therapy involve?

Voice therapy depends on your diagnosis and individual needs. Our UK-based specialist speech and language therapists offer personalised techniques to improve voice quality, stamina, and overall vocal health.

This may include:

• Improving voice projection and resonance

• Vocal hygiene and reducing harmful vocal behaviours

• Releasing muscle tension through relaxation and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises

• Increasing vocal stamina to prevent fatigue

• Managing reflux (LPR) affecting vocal health

• Structured exercises to strengthen and balance your voice

Our private voice therapists are highly qualified and accredited in a range of specialist techniques, including:

• Voicecraft®

• Estill Voice Training®

• Myofascial Release manual therapy

• PhoRTE®

• Advanced Laryngeal Manipulation

Therapy is tailored to help you sing and speak with confidence, comfort, and endurance.

Can I have voice therapy with the NHS?

Yes. An ENT consultant may refer you to a NHS Voice Therapist, but waiting lists can be long. Many singers choose private therapy to start sooner due to work, performance, or income pressures.

Do you have a waiting list?

No. We have no waiting list and can usually book you in within one week of your consultation, so you can start without delay.

Why should I choose The Speech Network for voice therapy and vocal coaching?

• Expert Voice therapist with stage experience: Our voice therapist is a trained singer who performed for 10 years in the West End, providing insight that bridges therapy and performance.

• Vocal coaching expertise: Our coach has 17 years of experience with professional and amateur singers, including teaching at prestigious acting schools.

• Stepwise, performance-focused approach: We begin with speaking voice rehabilitation, then carefully progress into singing exercises to build stamina, range, and control.

• Immediate access: No waiting list—therapy can start quickly.

This combination ensures singers recover, maintain, and enhance their speaking and singing voice safely and effectively.

Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy.

Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Private Voice Therapy.

Can stress and anxiety cause hoarseness? Understanding Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD).

Your voice feels hoarse, scratchy, or tired — not just once, but every day, especially in the evenings after a long day of teaching, talking, singing, or leading online meetings on Zoom. Maybe it happens even more when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. It can be frustrating, and it might make everyday conversations feel like hard work.

Chronic hoarseness is often a sign that your body is carrying tension, stress, or anxiety — and your voice is simply showing it. You’re not alone, and experiencing this is completely normal.

What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder caused by excessive tension in the muscles around the larynx (voice box), neck, jaw, and shoulders. It can make your voice feel strained, hoarse, or fatigued, and it often worsens with prolonged voice use (Mathieson & Morrison, 2018).

How does stress or anxiety cause Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Stress and anxiety can affect your voice in multiple ways:

• Muscle tension: Stress naturally tightens the muscles of the throat, neck, jaw, and larynx, making speaking or singing harder and uncomfortable — a hallmark of MTD (Behrman & Epstein, 2001).

• Breathing changes: Anxiety often causes shallow, upper-chest breathing, raising your shoulders and taking in less air. Over time, this reinforces tension in the throat and neck, contributing to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) (Verdolini et al., 1994).

• Vocal fatigue: Chronic stress can make your voice tire more quickly. Even short periods of talking may leave you hoarse, and prolonged use worsens Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) symptoms (Roy et al., 2004).

• Work-related stress: When Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) affects your voice, it can become unreliable, which is stressful at work. You may worry about straining your voice, performing well, or the financial impact of time off, especially when using your voice heavily for teaching, meetings, or online calls.

• Emotional signaling: Hoarseness or tightness often reflects the stress or emotions you’re carrying. Your body is signaling it’s overloaded and needs help (Behrman & Epstein, 2001).

How is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) diagnosed?

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is usually diagnosed by a voice specialist or ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor). During an examination, an ENT may use laryngoscopy or endoscopy to look at your vocal folds. In most cases of MTD, the vocal folds appear normal structurally, even though you experience hoarseness, strain, or vocal fatigue. This is why MTD is often described as a functional voice disorder, meaning the problem is in how the voice is being used, not in the anatomy itself (Mathieson & Morrison, 2018).

What are the symptoms of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

The most common symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia include:

• Voice that sounds hoarse or strained

• Voice becomes weaker and more effort the longer your voice is used.

• Difficulty singing notes that used to be easy.

• Pain or tension in your throat 

• Feeling like there is something in your throat that needs to be cleared. 

How common is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is surprisingly common, especially among people who use their voices a lot:

• Teachers: About 1 in 5 report work-related voice problems (Roy et al., 2004).

• Singers: Around 46% notice dysphonia at some point (Roy et al., 2005).

• Other professional voice users: Actors, broadcasters, and public speakers — nearly 4 in 10 experience similar issues (Roy et al., 2004).

In voice clinics, Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed voice disorders. Many patients seeking help for chronic hoarseness, strain, or vocal fatigue are found to have Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) as a primary or contributing factor (Mathieson & Morrison, 2018).

Can Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) be treated?

Yes! Voice therapy is the treatment for muscle tension dysphonia.

• Release tension in the larynx, neck, jaw, and shoulders

• Improve breath support and posture

• Teach strategies to manage stress and prevent vocal strain

• Make your voice more reliable and comfortable for work, teaching, or online meetings (Mathieson & Morrison, 2018)

Do you have a waiting list?

No- most people are seen within one week on the free consultation.

How long does Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) last?

Muscle Tension Dysphonia if untreated can last for months or years for some people. This is because they may be in a high voice use occupation such as a teacher, manager or call center and continue to abuse their voices without treatment. The treatment for Muscle Tension Dysphonia is Voice therapy. Typically people require 6-8 sessions following an assessment.

Why choose The Speech Network for Voice Therapy?

Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, each with a minimum of 15 years’ experience. They currently work, or have previously worked, as Senior Voice Therapists within the NHS.

All our therapists are fully registered and accredited, including:

• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)

Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.

Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.

References

• Behrman, A., & Epstein, R. (2001). Effects of stress and anxiety on voice production. Journal of Voice, 15(2), 214–228.

• Mathieson, L., & Morrison, M. (2018). Muscle Tension Dysphonia: Assessment and Management. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 26(6), 441–447.

• Roy, N., Merrill, R. M., Gray, S. D., & Smith, E. M. (2004). Voice disorders in teachers and the general population: Effects on work performance, attendance, and future career choices. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 47(3), 542–551.

• Roy, N., et al. (2005). Prevalence of voice disorders among singers: A literature review. Journal of Voice, 19(3), 478–493.

• Verdolini, K., Titze, I. R., & Fennell, A. (1994). Dependence of phonatory effort on respiratory drive. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 37(4), 749–756.

Why Do I Lose My Voice So Often as a Teacher?

You're in the middle of a lesson. Your voice feels tight, raspy, and unreliable. By the end of the day, you're hoarse, exhausted, or even in pain.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it may be more than just “overuse.” Many teachers experiencing these symptoms are unknowingly dealing with a voice condition called Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD). Voice rest is not enough - and you keep losing your voice frequently and its affecting your work.

Why do teachers lose their voice?

Teachers use their voices a lot. Voice loss tends to occur due to overuse or misuse of your voice. But it’s not just the hours of speaking—it’s how, where, and under what pressure. Classrooms are often noisy, acoustically challenging spaces. Add in stress, lack of voice training, and few breaks, and it’s no wonder that around 50–70% of teachers experience voice problems at some point.

Our UK Voice therapists will help you identify the causal factors and put together a bespoke plan to support you in improving your voice, and prevent voice loss.

When should I worry about losing my voice?

Prolonged voice loss and Voice changes should be investigated and you can request a referral to ENT via your GP. Voice loss can affect your job performance and may cause you to be sick or absent from work as you are unable to teach. Teachers may resign due to voice issues. Your voice is your an important tool and you may need to either have voice therapy to restore your voice or improve your vocal techniques.

How can voice therapy help?

The recommended treatment for frequent and ongoing voice loss is voice therapy. Typically in 4-6 sessions we can improve your voice. We can support you with preventative techniques so that you do not lose your voice, feel strain or discomfort - so you can confidently teach without worrying about your voice.

How can I stop losing my voice as a teacher?

Speak less - take regular breaks.

Use non-verbal techniques to gain attention rather than shouting

Use audio-visual aids where possible

Use amplification where possible

Vocal hygiene to look after your voice.

Can voice coaching help me stop losing my voice as a teacher?

Our therapists are both voice therapists and voice coaches - the perfect combination to improve your voice and provide you with preventative techniques for using your voice in the classroom.

We can also support you with finding your voice as a teacher - to free your voice and speech of habits that impact on your self confidence such as speaking too fast, mumbling, speaking too quietly or unclear pronunciation. Habits are hard to break but Voice & Speech Coaching UK can provide you with strategies to change the way you communicate to be your true self.

Can I have voice therapy with the NHS?

The referral from GP to ENT can be a quick process. Unfortunatly, the wait for NHS voice therapy may take months, which could impact on your work. Our voice therapists are able to see you while you wait for NHS therapy. Voice coaching is not available in the NHS - our Voice Coaches are unique as they are also Clinical Voice Specialists.

Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.