Singer and actors are a unique group of performers, relying almost entirely on their voice for the professional livelihood. Jet lag, amplification, allergens, stress, pollution, and vocal strain all affect vocal performance. Written for the performer, the teacher, and the vocal coach, Care of the Professional Voice offers clear explanations and medical advice on vocal problems and vocal health. Care of the Professional Voice is written by experts in laryngology in the United States and Great Britain. This second edition includes a singer's guide to self-diagnosis.

A well-functioning voice is part of the professional skills needed in many occupations. Although voice is an important communication tool, it is more than that: it is something which reflects human identity. The need for speech and voice is growing in spite of increasing technology applications; even instruments and technical equipment are guided by voice. The number of people having voice problems is increasing, which implies that voice does not always function according to the speakers’ needs. Voice ergonomics has been developed for improving voice health and care. This book offers background knowledge and concrete guidelines on how to improve communication environments and practices for decreasing voice loading.

Written to save careers one voice at a time through scientifically proven methods and advice, this resource teaches people how to protect and improve one of their most valuable assets: their speaking voice. Simple explanations of vocal anatomy and up-to-date instruction for vocal injury prevention are accompanied by illustrations, photographs, and FAQs. An audio CD of easy-to-follow vocal-strengthening exercises--including Hum and Chew, Puppy Dog Whimper, Sirens, Lip Trills, and Tongue Twisters--is also included, along with information on breathing basics, vocal-cord vibration, and working with students who have medical complications such as asthma, acid reflux, or anxiety.

Care of the Professional Voice offers clear explanations and medical advice on vocal problems and vocal health.

The most comprehensive reference on voice care and science ever published! Substantially revised and updated since the previous edition published in 2005, Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care, Fourth Edition provides the latest advances in the field of voice care and science. In three volumes, it covers basic science, clinical assessment, nonsurgical treatments, and surgical management. Twenty new chapters have been added. These include an in-depth chapter on pediatric voice disorders, chapters detailing how hormonal contraception, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid disorders affect the voice, as well as chapters on the evolution of technology in the voice care field, and advances in imaging of the voice production system. The appendices also have been updated. They include a summary of the phonetic alphabet in five languages, clinical history and examination forms, a special history form translated into 15 languages, sample reports from a clinical voice evaluation, voice therapy exercise lists, and others. The multidisciplinary glossary remains an invaluable resource. Key Features With contributions from a Who's Who of voice across multiple disciplines120 chapters covering all aspects of voice science and clinical careFeatures case examples plus practical appendices including multi-lingual forms and sample reports and exercise listsComprehensive indexMultidisciplinary glossary What's New Available in print or electronic format20 new chaptersExtensively revised and reorganized chaptersMany more color photographs, illustrations, and case examplesFully updated comprehensive glossaryMajor revisions with extensive new information and illustrations, especially on voice surgery, reflux, and structural abnormalities New Chapters 1. Formation of the Larynx: From Hox Genes to Critical Periods 2. High-Speed Digital Imaging 3. Evolution of Technology 4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Voice Production System 5. Pediatric Voice Disorders 6. The Vocal Effects of Thyroid Disorders and Their Treatment 7. The Effects of Hormonal Contraception on the Voice 8. Cough and the Unified Airway 9. Autoimmune Disorders 10. Respiratory Behaviors and Vocal Tract Issues in Wind Instrumentalists 11. Amateur and Professional Child Singers: Pedagogy and Related Issues 12. Safety of Laryngology Procedures Commonly Performed in the Office 13. The Professional Voice Practice 14. Medical-Legal Implications of Professional Voice Care 15. The Physician as Expert Witness 16. Laryngeal Neurophysiology 17. The Academic Practice of Medicine 18. Teamwork 19. Medical Evaluation Prior to Voice Lessons 20. Why Study Music? Intended Audiences Individuals While written primarily for physicians and surgeons, this comprehensive work is also designed to be used by (and written in language accessible to) speech-language pathologists, singing voice specialists, acting voice specialists, voice teachers, voice/singing performers, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and others involved in the care and maintenance of the human voice. Libraries It is a must-have reference for medical and academic libraries at institutions with otolaryngology, speech-language pathology, music, nursing and other programs related to the human voice.