[Phoniatric care for disorders of the professional singing voice]

In Germany, approximately 8% of the population uses their singing voice professionally or semi-professionally, while approximately 18% of children and young people sing in organised ensembles. Of all occupational groups, singers have the highest demands on vocal quality and performance, and even among semi-professionals, singing is often associated with high strain on the vocal apparatus. The requirements vary considerably, depending on whether the context is solo singing or singing in a choir, and they are also dependent on the chosen musical genre and the use of electroacoustic amplification. The considerable vocal load leads to a high prevalence of voice disorders, with respiratory tract infections and vocal fatigue being the most common conditions affecting the singing voice. Phoniatric care for singers requires specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for voice disorders as well as corresponding knowledge and skills on the part of the practitioner. These include both the expansion of standardised protocols for modular voice diagnostics and individualised selection and combination of therapeutic options. The latter include voice rest, vocal therapeutic and medication components, and, if necessary, phonosurgical procedures. Additionally, successful restoration of the function and resilience of the singing voice requires preventative measures tailored to the functional characteristics of professional voices.