Why Are So Many Singers Having Throat Surgery?
ENT doctors in Los Angeles and other large cities are seeing an uptick in famous musicians that need throat surgery. John Mayer, Adele, and Keith Urban have all undergone vocal surgery in the past decade.
Known for her powerful and wide vocal range, Adele said had to cancel all appearances to undergo laser microsurgery to fix a hemorrhaged vocal cord. Guitarist and singer John Mayer also had to have surgery and could not use his voice at all for a month after. Keith Urban also had to visit an ENT doctor to remove a polyp on his vocal cords.
“I know it’s not only disappointing because of the show, but it’s plane tickets, hotel bookings, birthdays, anniversaries, and time wasted,” Adele said in a public statement after canceling several shows.
Other singers who have had to have throat surgery include Justin Timberlake, Björk, Sam Smith, MARINA, and Tove Lo. Elton John had to undergo a vocal surgery that ended up permanently lowering his vocal range.
This increase in need for vocal cord surgery in Los Angeles is attributed to how the music industry has changed. While singers used to make a large chunk of their money from album and CD sales, the domination of streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube have seriously affected the way they make money. Instead of relying on album sales, musicians now have to rely on appearance fees and ticket sales to make the majority of their income.
Interviews and live performances require strong vocal cords, and many singers have increased these appearances. It’s possible for singers to go on tour and perform a 2 to 3-hour concert almost every night.
Performing multiple times a week can be tiring for many people’s voices, but the rockstar lifestyle can make it worse. Many musicians have a vice for alcohol, as John Mayer and Elton John have openly admitted. Many others, including Adele, also smoke cigarettes.
Alcohol and smoking are some of the worst things you can do for your voice. Even so little as a glass of wine the night before a performance can hinder your vocal ability.
Many voice doctors notice a decrease in their patient’s vocal abilities as time goes on, and they recommend simple lifestyle changes to try and prolong their beautiful voices. In the days before a show, it’s a good idea to limit speaking as much as 50% and to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
If you need to use your voice as part of your career, contact our doctors. We have extensive experience in solving problems of the ear, nose, and throat.