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Jeffery T, Postavaru GI, Matei R, Meizel K. 'I Have Had to Stop Singing Because I Can't Take the Pain': Experiences of Voice, Ability, and Loss in Singers With Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders. J Voice 2024; 38:966.e19-966.e29. [PMID: 34973894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explored the voice experience, singing ability, and wellbeing of singers diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (h-EDS). STUDY DESIGN This was a mixed-method study. A purposive sampling strategy was used. Data were collected via an online survey, using written closed and open-ended questions. METHODS 276 adults completed the survey. This study focuses on a subset of professionally-trained singers (n=71). Responses elicited information about participants' voice health and function, symptoms of hypermobility, singing experiences and training. Data were analysed using template analysis. RESULTS Many participants reported wide vocal ranges and enjoyment of singing but 74.6% of participants across all age groups (18-60 years) experienced voice difficulties. Three common themes were identified: (1) 'My unreliable voice': The ups and downs; (2) Wider effects of HSD/h-EDS on singers, and (3) Need for acknowledgment and support. CONCLUSIONS Voice difficulties and hypermobility-related health conditions affected the participants' abilities to sing and perform; this impacted their professional and personal opportunities, communication, relationships, and wellbeing. Our results indicate that symptoms of voice disorder worsen over time. We suggest practical strategies that singers and training providers could implement to support hypermobile singers. More research is needed to fully understand voice difficulties in singers with HSD/H-EDS and to inform tuition and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Jeffery
- Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK.
| | | | - Raluca Matei
- Department of Organizational Psychology, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Meizel
- College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA
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Menton SM, Fairweather D, Bruno KA, Thompson CC, Candelo E, Darakjian AA, Gehin JM, Jain A, Kotha A, Whelan ER, Li Z, Knight DRT, Rutt AL. Laryngological Complaint Prevalence in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders. Laryngoscope 2024; 134:773-778. [PMID: 37597175 PMCID: PMC10841389 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to study laryngological complaints in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). METHODS A total of 363 patients met inclusion for the study by completing questions related to voice, upper airway, and swallowing between July 7, 2020 and July 13, 2022. Demographic data, voice-related questions, and hypermobility diagnosis were analyzed retrospectively. From those, 289 patients were diagnosed with hEDS or HSD with 74 that did not meet the diagnostic criteria for either diagnosis serving as controls. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between patients with hEDS and HSD regarding Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) scores, voice, upper airway, or swallow complaints. However, more hEDS/HSD patients answered positively to the laryngeal dysfunction question versus controls (p = 0.031). 22.5% of hEDS/HSD patients (n = 65) reported hoarseness, of which 52.3% reported hoarseness >2 days/month. 33.9% (n = 98) with hEDS/HSD reported symptoms of dysphagia, and 27.0% (n = 78) reported laryngeal dysfunction symptoms. Controls demonstrated 20.3% prevalence of hoarseness, of which 46.7% reported hoarseness >2 days/month. 24.3% of controls had dysphagia and 14.9% laryngeal dysfunction symptoms. Of the 363 patients, VHI-10 scores >11 were more likely in patients reporting >2 days of hoarseness/month (p = 0.001) versus those with <2 days of hoarseness/month. There was an increased prevalence of voice, upper airway, and dysphagia symptoms in hEDS/HSD patients compared with previously reported prevalence data in the general population. CONCLUSION A significant proportion of patients diagnosed with hypermobility due to hEDS or HSD were found to have voice, upper airway, and dysphagia symptoms. These rates are higher than those previously reported in the general population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 134:773-778, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey M Menton
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - DeLisa Fairweather
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Katelyn A Bruno
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Chandler C Thompson
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Estephania Candelo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Ashley A Darakjian
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Jessica M Gehin
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Angita Jain
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Archana Kotha
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Emily R Whelan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Quantitative Health Science, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Dacre R T Knight
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Amy L Rutt
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
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