Why Is My Singing Voice Hoarse? – Private Voice Therapy and Vocal Coaching for Singers
Targeted voice therapy for the spoken voice to stabilize and protect it, then we gradually progress into singing exercises. This structured approach helps singers recover, strengthen, and safely expand their voice while reducing the risk of further damage.
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:
Myofascial Release manual therapy
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.
What are Vocal Fold Nodules?
Vocal fold nodules develop due to trauma of the vocal folds. When you use your voice incorrectly over time, the vocal folds might become swollen. These swollen areas then become nodules that are sometimes called ‘soft nodules’ but as they progress they can be called ‘hard nodules’ and be harder to treat.
Vocal fold nodules are small, benign growths on the vocal cords caused by repetitive vocal strain or misuse. They often affect teachers, singers, actors, and anyone who relies heavily on their voice for work. Understanding causes, symptoms, and treatment options is essential for maintaining healthy vocal function.
What Are Vocal Fold Nodules?
Vocal fold nodules develop when the vocal folds are overused or misused, causing swelling that can become firm over time.
Soft nodules: Early-stage and easier to treat
Hard nodules: More persistent and harder to treat
Nodules usually form in pairs, directly opposite each other, but occasionally appear unilaterally with slight swelling on the opposite cord.
What Causes Vocal Fold Nodules?
The primary cause of nodules is vocal misuse or overuse, including:
Shouting or screaming
Singing incorrectly or excessively
Long periods of speaking or heavy vocal use
Professionals in voice-heavy jobs, such as teachers, singers, or actors, are particularly at risk. Chronic misuse can cause strain, discomfort, and even income-related stress if the voice is impacted.
Symptoms of Vocal Fold Nodules
Common symptoms include:
Hoarseness or breathy voice
Effortful speech with breaks
Lower pitch and vocal fatigue
Throat discomfort or soreness
Frequent throat clearing
Why this happens: Nodules create a gap between the vocal folds, allowing air to escape and causing a breathy or weak voice.
How Are Vocal Fold Nodules Diagnosed in the UK?
Diagnosis is usually made by an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) consultant using endoscopy, a camera inserted through the nose to view the vocal folds. After the examination, your ENT will confirm the diagnosis and discuss the best treatment plan.
What are Treatment Options for Vocal Fold Nodules in the UK?
Voice Therapy is the first-line treatment, focusing on:
Retraining healthy vocal habits
Reducing strain and forceful voice use
Improving breath support and resonance
Surgery is rarely required and is considered only if therapy is ineffective. Post-surgery Voice Therapy is essential to prevent recurrence.
Online Voice Therapy is effective and convenient, allowing patients to receive treatment remotely.
Can vocal fold nodules go away without treatment?
In the acute stages, vocal nodules may resolve with voice rest alone. However, if it is due to repetitive vocal misuse, then Voice Therapy treatment will be required. Voice Therapy is first choice rather than surgery. If surgery is required, Voice Therapy following surgery to prevent reoccurrance is recommended. Online Voice Therapy for Voice is effective for treating nodules.
How long does it take to recover from vocal fold nodules?
Voice therapy takes between 6-8 sessions.
Can I still sing or talk professionally with nodules?
Singing or heavy voice use can worsen nodules. Early therapy focuses on safe vocal technique so you can resume professional voice use as soon as possible.
Is surgery always needed for vocal fold nodules?
No. Most nodules respond well to Voice Therapy. Surgery is reserved for nodules that don’t improve with therapy.
Can online Voice Therapy treat nodules?
Yes. Online Voice Therapy is effective as face to face therapy, allowing patients to learn healthy vocal techniques and practice exercises in the comfort of their own home, reducing travel time and cost.
How can I look after my voice?
Vocal hygiene is very important to look after your voice when you have vocal nodules.
Do you have a waiting list?
No - you can be seeing within one week of your consultation.
Why Choose The Speech Network?
Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, each with a minimum of 12 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)
Members of the British Voice Association
Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.
Specialist Training & Accreditation
Myofascial Release manual therapy
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®)
Advanced Laryngeal Manipulation
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.