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.
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. They usually form a pair – opposite each other on each vocal cord. Occasionally a diagnosis of a nodule on one vocal cord is made, with only some slight swelling on the opposite vocal cord.
What causes vocal fold nodules?
Vocal fold nodules are typically caused by voice misuse. This may include shouting, screaming, singing or excessive use of voice over long periods of time.
When we use our voice ineffectively and develop habits that use too much force with our voices, this puts strain on the vocal folds. Nodules are common whose work involves using their voice for long periods of time. Typical jobs might be singers, teachers or actors. Due to the importance of communication in these jobs, a nodule affecting the voice can have a big impact on sustaining voice throughout the day. This can be very stressful when our voices are essential to our work and income.
What are the symptoms of vocal fold nodules?
You will notice voice changes such as a gradual onset of hoarseness, breathiness and an effortful voice with breaks.
When producing normal voice, the vocal folds meet fully together. When there is a nodule, this causes a gap between the vocal folds, resulting in air escape through this gap, and a subsequently breathy voice.
You may also have a lower pitch, experience throat discomfort and throat clearing. You may additionally feel some soreness in your larynx after using your voice for long periods.
How are vocal fold nodules diagnosed?
Typically an Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant puts a camera up your nose, called an endoscopy, to gain a view of your vocal folds. They will inform you of your diagnosis in this examination.
Can vocal fold nodules go away on their own?
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.
Can I have Voice Therapy with the NHS?
The ENT consultant will often refer you to a NHS Voice Therapist. We see people who have seen an ENT consultant privately due to a long NHS wait, or those that are waiting for an NHS appointment but are keen to get started due to the impact on their income.
How can I look after my voice?
Vocal hygiene is very important to look after your voice when you have vocal nodules.
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.
Why has my voice changed?
Voice Therapy will explore the reasons in greater depth that you lose your voice frequently. This may be due to the ways in which you use your voice ineffectively, tension within the larynx, reflux or not taking care of your voice in the best way. Voice Therapy the recommended treatment for voice disorders.
Why has my voice changed?
If your voice has suddenly changed, the most common reason for this is Laryngitis, which is a loss of voice, often alongside a cough and/or sore throat. It typically lasts 1-2 weeks. Drinking fluids and voice rest is recommended.
When should I worry about Voice changes?
If you have a hoarse voice that has lasted longer than 6 weeks, its advisable to request your doctor refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant (ENT) for an examination of your Larynx (Voice box). A camera is put up your nose to examine your voice box. This procedure is not painful and is safe. ENT will confirm the reason for your voice changes.
What causes Voice changes?
There are many reasons that cause changes in voice. One of the reasons most people are worried about is laryngeal cancer. The earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat it, and for treatment to be successful.
There are many other reasons that you may experience voice changes. There are many other reasons that you may experience voice changes. These might be due to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) , Vocal cord Nodules or a Vocal fold palsy.
Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) : A voice disorder characterised by a hoarse voice due to excessive muscle tension in the Larynx. It produces voice symptoms without any physical damage.
Vocal cord Nodules: Swollen areas on the vocal folds caused by using your voice incorrectly over a long period of time. Nodules are typically seen in children or women. People with jobs who use their voice excessively are often affected such as singers, actors and teachers.
Vocal cord Paralysis: Typically, one vocal cord not moving as a result of an infection or damage to the nerve due to surgery results in a breathy, hoarse and weak voice.
Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Neurological Disorder than affects the voice.
Following assessment by ENT, Voice Therapy is recommended for the treatment of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD), Vocal cord Nodules, Vocal cord Paralysis and Spasmodic Dysphonia.
Why do I keep losing my voice?
Voice loss is ‘multi-factorial’. This means there is often not one reason. It is important that ENT diagnose the reason you are losing your voice. Voice Therapy will explore the reasons in greater depth that you lose your voice frequently. This may be due to the ways in which you use your voice ineffectively, tension within the larynx, reflux or not taking care of your voice in the best way. Voice Therapy the recommended treatment for voice disorders.
Why do I have a muscle tightness in my throat?
Voice disorders such as Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) or Vocal Nodules can cause excessive tension in the larynx (the throat area) which results in a sensation of muscle tightness. Sometimes people complain about tension in their laryngeal area with no vocal symptoms or changes in voice.
People may describe an ache, constriction, or a lump in their throat. A sensation of a lump in the throat, where no lump exists, is known as ‘Globus’. You may experience a sensation that you want to clear your throat regularly. These unpleasant changes in sensation can make talking feel very effortful and tiring.
Voice Therapy can help reduce this discomfort minimising the effort you feel when speaking.
Why do I feel like I am straining my voice when I speak?
Voice Disorders can result in excessive tension in the laryngeal area. Often the voice is being used ineffectively, which causes additional strain on the larynx (voice box). You may not be projecting effectively resulting in poor amplification of sound. This is known as resonance. Resonance is how your voice is shaped by your voice box, nose and mouth. You may need to learn how to use your breath more effectively to reduce strain.
You may also need to improve your breath support for Speech so that you can use your voice effectively. Often people with Voice disorders use only the upper part of their chest to breathe. Breathing from the diaphragm provides effective breath for speech and reduces tension in the laryngeal area.
Voice Therapy can help reduce strain and discomfort when speaking, to free your voice and improve your confidence.
Can I have NHS voice Therapy?
Yes - we often see people when they are waiting for NHS voice therapy or there is no service in their area.
How can I look after my voice?
Vocal Hygiene is very important for looking after you voice.
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.