Laryngeal Pathologies Associated with the Genre of Singing and Professional Singing Status in a Treatment‐Seeking Population

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2021-09, Vol.131 (9), p.2076-2080
• Main Authors: Rotsides, Janine, Chen, Sophia, Winchester, Arianna, Amin, Milan R., Johnson, Aaron M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: dysphonia; Laryngoscopy; Pathology; Singers; singing genre; vocal cord lesions; Voice disorders
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.29303

Objectives/Hypothesis Singers have high vocal demands and are at increased risk of developing voice disorders. Different singing genres place different technical demands on the voice. However, differences in laryngeal pathology based on genre have not been well‐researched. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of laryngeal pathology in different genres of professional and amateur singers who present with a voice complaint. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Retrospective review of patients seen at a tertiary laryngology practice. Self‐identified singers who reported their primary singing genre and categorized their singing as a full‐time job, part‐time job, or amateur involvement were included. Type and prevalence of pathology were calculated based on genre and professional status. Results Of the 302 self‐identified singers, 54% (n = 164) had laryngeal pathology. Among those with pathology, the most common finding was fibrotic lesion (38.4%, 63/164). Genres in which a majority of singers had pathology were other (69.2%, 9/13), choral (64.7%, 11/17), pop (63.2%, 12/19), musical theater (61.4%, 43/70), country (100%, 4/4), and Latin (100%, 2/2). The highest prevalence of pathology was seen in part‐time professional singers (62.2%, 41/66) and full‐time professionals (60.8%, 62/102), compared to amateurs (45.1%, 60/133). Conclusions Laryngeal pathology is prevalent in singers presenting with a voice complaint. Regardless of genre or professional status, fibrotic lesions were the most common pathological finding. This study provides preliminary data on the prevalence of different laryngeal pathologies found in singers by genre and degree of professional involvement. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2076–2080, 2021