I have tonsils that are a source of perpetual misery to me. Every winter, without fail, they give me strep throat for Christmas like some clueless maiden aunt who has no idea that you don’t want yet another hand-crocheted bathrobe. I can’t swallow properly and my voice is nearly useless to me for the duration of the strep, which often drags on for a couple of weeks. Misery, I tell ya.
I’d like to have the not-so-little bastards removed, but a few things are making me hesitate. My doctor says they usually only do tonsillectomies on adults if there are chronic problems for which the tonsils are clearly to blame, a test which he says I pass. I’ve heard that the surgery is much harder on adults than kids…but I’d trade two weeks of agony, once, for two weeks of general misery, every year forever.
Another point: I work in the radio industry as a writer… once or twice a month, my job involves some voiceover work. Moreover, I’d like both to do MORE voice work and to sing in a band one of these days. Frankly, I’m paranoid about the possible consequences to my speaking and singing voices if I go ahead with a tonsillectomy. My doctor was unable to advise me on that point.
So how about it, Dopers? Can anyone offer anecdotes about undergoing tonsillectomy as an adult? More importantly, can anyone offer an expert opinion about the possibility I might be ruining my voice?
I recall reading in one of Mel Torme’s obituaries that he had an incomplete tonsillectomy as a child (whatever THAT is), and always attributed his “Velvet Fog” singing voice to it.
I once chatted briefly with a sixtyish woman who told me she had a lovely singing voice until after her tonsillectomy in middle age. Her voice was ruined after that. (Her speaking voice sounded fine to me – not mellifluous, but not whiskey and cigarettes either.)
I found two site that deal with the issue. They both say the change in voice is temporary. See voice pedagogy. The second site may be members-only (or there is a problem with the link), so I’ll quote them briefly: “Removal of the tonsils can alter the voice by changing the configuration of the supraglottic vocal tract. In addition, scarring may alter pharyngeal muscle function. It generally takes from 3 to 6 months for the voice to stabilize or return to normal following tonsillectomy.” source: Voice Disorders
Well, as someone that’s into music a LOT (singing and playing), and one that’s had a tonsilectomy as well, perhaps i am qualified to answer…
First let me say that having the little buggers taken out was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’d get tonsilitis (sp?) quite frequently, especially during the winter months. I’d always have to have lots of drugs from my doctor to fix it, and it’d knock me down for a week or so. My tonsils were so swolen that even when i was NOT sick, they were probably no more than 1/3" apart, and when i was sick, they’d practically touch (seriously). So finally i had them removed per doctor’s advice. I’ll tell you i haven’t been sick with sore throat, or any such garbage since (i was 18 at the time, i’m 23 now). So, it was VERY worth it…
And, my voice is as normal as it ever was. Now then, a few things to consider here, and one is what type of music will you be involved with. Most importantly, give yourself time to heal!!! This especially applies if you are going to be “throat screaming” in a metal band or something. That puts a LOT of strain on your throat (even if it is healthy). And though i would say you most likely won’t, you might have to retrain your voice a bit. But, that’s nothing that lots of practice won’t fix (and maybe even some good singing lessons). After all, you wouldn’t have knee surgery and go jogging the next day would you? Of course not.
So, i would do it if i were you, it’ll make a life changing difference. You WILL thank yourself for this later. And as i say, give yourself plenty of time to heal before trying to sing, and then go from there. You will know how much it affected you at that point. Practice, practice, practice!
Thanks for your informed perspective, Dani. And no, I’m not a heavy-metal screamer (everyone who knows me just burst out laughing, and they’re probably wondering why). I’m a jazz balladeer.
My singing is very much if-and-when at the moment, although I hope to pursue it in the next couple of years. My speaking voice is a much more immediate concern.
I had my tonsils removed when I was 22 and it didn’t change my talking or singing voice (I sing baritone in a choral group) at all. They were removed with lasers. The reason I had them removed is that they were riddled with fissures and holes that constantly got plugged up with dead skin cells, pieces of food, and God knows what else, causing a lot of discomfort. It was definitely worth it.
I also knew a girl who was a lead singer for a band. She had her tonsils removed as an adult and was back with the band less than a month later.
This coming from someone nicknamed Dani Filth means so much – oh well, I’m not knocking him, us metal heads must stick together and support the scene.
Oh, and Cheffie – NO Heavy Metal singers scream – they wail! Please, lets use the correct terminology, any more trespasses like this and we will have to sit you down for a forced showing of This is Spinal Tap. From what I understand Willie Nelson’s ‘unique’ voice was partially caused by throat / adenoid trouble he had during his youth although I’ve never found any source to support this statement.
Just as you please, although in my defense I was just using the nomenclature offered by Dani in the post above mine (“throat screaming in a metal band”). So if I have to sit through This Is Spinal Tap, Dani has to sit through 'Round Midnight. I don’t think it will be too onerous for either of us.
