Written by Maggie Gelin, Vocal Coach
Maggie guides singers to find their true voice using her unique Sing Your (Self) To Freedom Formula, crafted from years of experience. Studying under renowned mentors in both England and the United States, Maggie imparts invaluable techniques learned from instructors who've shaped famous artists like Michael Bublé and Josh Groban.
In this article, based on the latest episode of the Singing Insiders Podcast, you’ll discover how to effectively treat hoarseness so you can return to singing in no time. Whether you’re already experiencing hoarseness or want to prepare for when it might happen, this guide will equip you with practical steps and techniques to keep your voice healthy.
Recognizing the signs of hoarseness
Hoarseness manifests in a variety of ways: your voice may sound lower, raspy, or even feel breathy and scratchy. Anatomically, this happens when your vocal cords become swollen, irritated, or unable to fully close, leading to an unstable, airy sound.
The key takeaway here? Don’t sing with a hoarse voice. Singing while hoarse can cause further irritation and potentially lead to long-term damage.
Common mistakes beginners tend to make
There are three key mistakes that many beginner singers make when dealing with hoarseness:
Singing while hoarse: Resting your voice is essential. If your voice feels hoarse, it needs time to heal – not more strain.
Not addressing hoarseness: Some singers continue to sing through hoarseness without treating it, which only worsens the situation.
Ignoring the root cause: Simply treating hoarseness isn’t enough; you must also identify what triggered the hoarseness in the first place.
The trained singer approach
A trained singer knows that when hoarseness strikes, it’s crucial to not only treat it but also address its underlying cause. This could be related to vocal technique, talking in noisy environments, dry air, overuse, or even a cold. Once you pinpoint the reason, you can prevent it from happening again.
A trained singer also understands that sometimes performances or rehearsals can’t be avoided, even when hoarse. In these cases, there are specific techniques to sing healthily on a hoarse voice, which we will explore.
Four steps to treat hoarseness
1. Vocal rest: Silence is golden
The first and most important step is vocal rest. Resting your voice allows your vocal cords to heal. Avoid whispering, as it’s actually more harmful than speaking because it pushes extra air over your vocal cords, drying them out. Vocal rest means no singing, no whispering, and as little talking as possible.
Just like putting a bandage on a scraped knee helps it heal, silence helps your vocal cords recover from hoarseness.
2. Steaming: Rehydrate your vocal cords
Steaming is an excellent way to rehydrate your vocal cords. You can do this by boiling water, placing it in a bowl, covering your head with a towel, and inhaling the steam for about 10–15 minutes. Steaming helps soothe the vocal cords and reduce inflammation.
This grandmother’s remedy is a simple and effective way to help your voice feel better quickly.
3. Nebulizing: A more direct approach
Nebulizing is another way to rehydrate your vocal cords. Unlike steaming, nebulizing uses a saline solution (not water) to deliver fine droplets directly to your vocal cords. It’s a more targeted method, and the smaller droplets are more likely to reach the vocal folds, making it a highly effective treatment.
For nebulizing, you can use a tool like the Vocal Mist. You simply inhale the saline vapor, which helps rehydrate the cords faster than steaming.
4. SOVT exercises: Gentle vocal therapy
SOVT (Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract) exercises provide a gentle massage for your vocal cords by balancing airflow in and out of your vocal tract. Examples include lip trills, tongue trills, and humming through a straw. These exercises reduce tension, help heal hoarseness, and are safe for vocal recovery.
Here’s a quick example:
Start with a lip trill (the “brrr” sound). Try it with a simple scale, keeping it light and easy.
Follow up with a V sound (like “vvv”) to engage your vocal folds gently.
These exercises encourage healing by providing a balanced vocal workload without causing strain.
Address the root cause
While these techniques can treat hoarseness, it’s vital to identify and address the root cause to prevent recurrence. Whether it’s vocal overuse, poor technique, or environmental factors, understanding why your voice became hoarse will help you avoid repeating the issue.
Remember, your voice is your most precious instrument. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.
As you can see, training your voice in the right way is the only way to experience vocal freedom and avoid hoarseness.
When you’re ready to learn the right vocal techniques and get specific exercises to help you along the way, then I invite you to join my free, upcoming training covering exactly that! Click here to join the free training!
This blog post is based on insights shared in the Singing Insiders Podcast.
Read more from Maggie Gelin
Maggie Gelin, Vocal Coach
Maggie guides singers to find their true voice using her unique Sing Your (Self) To Freedom Formula, crafted from years of experience. Studying under renowned mentors in both England and the United States, Maggie imparts invaluable techniques learned from instructors who've shaped famous artists like Michael Bublé and Josh Groban. With a decade of coaching, she witnesses remarkable transformations in her students, guiding them past insecurities to sing with newfound freedom, proving that singing goes beyond a skill—it's a path to embracing life fully.
