Looking for advice on what to do about my voice
Hi all. I apologize for this wall of text. I’ll write a TLDR at the bottom.
I’ve been experiencing reduced vocal stamina (my voice fatigues much faster), loss of range, reduced volume, and maybe once or twice within the last 4 weeks I’ve had some quick onset mild laryngitis.
I haven’t felt ANY pain or lost my voice once, which is what confuses me.
A family member in an allergy and ENT clinic said my seasonal allergies (in particular, post-nasal drip) are the culprit.
I don’t have insurance, nor do I have enough money to self-pay a visit to a laryngologist or ENT. I decided instead of trusting Google again, I’d ask actual singers and vocalists.
These symptoms and effects seem to stem from a single event; I was fandubbing a scene from an anime, and instead of utilizing my false chords to produce a scream, I used my true folds. Immediately after, my voice was fatigued and felt a mild case of laryngitis (still no lost voice ever, from that day to today). Since then, I’ve been dealing with the symptoms mentioned above.
I’ve since adopted a routine: after I wake up, I drink water to start systemic hydration. I then use a nebulizer with .9% Saline for 10-15 minutes on high volume, and immediately follow it with a 10-15 minute steam session. After both, I drink Yogi Throat Comfort tea. When the day is done, I use the nebulizer and steamer once again, only this time, I drink Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat. I then pop a vocalzone and go to bed. Both teas are steeped for the longest labeled on the box.
I work two jobs, both in food service in which I have to call out numbers, but have been accommodated to speak less than I absolutely need to.
I don’t talk outside of work. At all.
I’ve made improvements, my speaking voice is mostly back to normal, but I’ve lost a lot of range in my head voice and falsetto.
I don’t wish to ask for medical advice, but instead if this has happened to anyone else, and what they did to recover (if they did, gulp!). It would help to know about what happened to others so I can rest easy until I have the resources to see a specialist.
TLDR: I strained my voice. Despite starting a vocal health routine and relative vocal rest, I’ve made little progress, and want to know if this has happened to anyone else.
Edit: further clarification that this is NOT for medical advice, and instead an inquiry to the experiences of others that had similar scenarios.