Singing A Different Tune: A Longitudinal Analysis of Vocal Habits Among Professional and Amateur Performers

This study sought to characterize the attitudes of performers regarding factors commonly believed to influence the voice. The primary goal was to describe the vocal health habits of singers to provide a framework for clinical counseling and a potential schema for future investigation. Secondary objectives included examining changes in these attitudes over time and identifying differences between professional and amateur vocalists.

Prospective, longitudinal analysis.

A longitudinal assessment was performed across ten years at two time points (2013 and 2023) to investigate potential changes in attitudes and practices over time. Participants were recruited by word of mouth and social media.

One hundred nine participants completed the 2013 survey, approximately half of whom were professional vocalists (52.3% professionals vs 47.7% amateurs), defined by those who either considered themselves a professional performer or had at some point obtained their primary source of income from singing or performing. The 2023 cohort included 155 participants who completed the survey, 61.3% of whom were classified as professional vocalists, with the remaining 38.7% classified as amateurs. In both the 2013 and 2023 cohorts, professional vocalists were more likely than amateurs to report factors that affected their voice. Using 2013 survey results, five vocal habits showed statistically significant differences in how amateurs and professionals judged their effects: warming up for 20-60 minutes prior to singing, decongestants, holding breath, cough drops (menthol), and one glass of wine. Using 2023 survey results, eight vocal habits showed statistically significant differences in how amateurs and professionals judged their effects: belting, cough drops (menthol), decongestants, holding breath, menthol spray, spicy foods, steroids, and Throat Coat.

This study provides a rich characterization of factors vocalists report as influencing vocal health to varying degrees. Singers' beliefs about vocal health practices at times diverged from available scientific evidence.