Among singers, stigma surrounding voice injury can affect self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-worth and can lead to hesitancy to disclose vocal injuries for fear of damaging their career. In addition, stressors… Click to show full abstract
Among singers, stigma surrounding voice injury can affect self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-worth and can lead to hesitancy to disclose vocal injuries for fear of damaging their career. In addition, stressors in the singer-physician relationship can work against positive interactions with physicians. To date, no study has documented the perspectives of singers about voice injury and their interactions with physicians through a qualitative approach. The purpose of this study was to a) examine the perspectives and experiences of college-aged singers regarding voice injury and visiting an ear, nose, and throat physician (ENT), and b) identify behaviors of singers and ENT physicians that establish a functional and healthy relationship with the other. Following an interpretive phenomenological design, 6 collegiate singers were interviewed using a semi-structured guide, and from the results of these interviews three emergent themes were generated: a) the emotional connection of a singer and their voice, b) the presence of stigma surrounding voice injury, and c) the barriers to effective relationships between a singer and an ENT physician.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.