Professional Voice Archives - Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Focus on this side NOTE🎼

DS — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 21:26:14 +0000

Singers on tour or in a show, men and women of the cloak, radio and TV announcers, inspirational speakers and other professional voice users can get sick and run down, and be subject to seasonal allergies just like the rest of us common folk. But, the pressure to perform can be daunting and relying on hearsay and anecdotal tales of success with quick fixes can not only cloud good judgement but may lead to temporary or even permanent vocal damage.

If your voice has lost power or range, or you have significant vocal fatigue, nasal congestionor post-nasal drip, you likely have or are at risk for having vocal injury. It is important to see a laryngologist (ENT specializing in care of the professional voice) like Dr. Yagoda for preventive care, proper diagnosis and integrative treatment combining natural, alternative and traditional techniques. Your laryngologist should also coordinate your care with your vocal coach, singing teacher, speech pathologist, naturopath, acupuncturist, therapist, herbalist, and/or chiropractor to safely rehabilitate your voice while minimizing the risk of future injury.

The post Focus on this side NOTE🎼 appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Giving Voice to the Voiceless

DS — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:41:24 +0000

Those who cannot speak are being given new hope. Six percent of the US population has a voice disorder that, unfortunately, often leads to the inability to speak. Usually arising from vocal cord damage, Harvard and MIT researchers have been tirelessly working on a solution to this vocal cord problem.

Thanks to modern gel technology, they might have found one! A new synthetic gel material can be injected into scarred or damaged vocal cords to help restore their function. By looking at the vocal cords from almost a mechanical standpoint, scientists developed a fix for the scar tissue — rather than a new way to remove it.

The flexible gel material can adapt to a wide range of human vocal cords and helps restore the cords’ ability to vibrate, thus loosening up the stiffened, scarred vocal cords enough to (hopefully) restore voice. Although, if approved, this material would need to be re-injected every six months or so – as it does break down over time – it is a very promising solution to a problem that has long been “silenced.”

Dr. Michelle Yagoda is not only an expert ENT and facial plastic surgeon, but she is a voice specialist as well. If you find you are having problems with your voice, make sure to see the proper doctor: Voice issues have many causes, and their treatments depend on the proper diagnoses.

The post Giving Voice to the Voiceless appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Celebrity Update: Pop Star Ariana Grande gets silenced!

DS — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 15:36:52 +0000

She’s been called the next Mariah Carey or the next Whitney Houston because of her eight octave vocal range. If you haven’t heard ’s amazing voice then you will have to wait because the hot new pop star has just been silenced. That’s right! After a loud, late night party, Ariana awoke with hoarseness. A visit to the voice doctor showed a vocal hemorrhage. What exactly is a vocal hemorrhage? How did she get it? How is it treated? And, most importantly, will we be able to hear her sing again?

Vocal hemorrhages occur from vocal cord trauma. A forceful impact can cause blood vessels within the layers of the vocal cords to bleed and cause a bruise similar to the type that happens under your nail when you slam your finger in the door. Hemorrhages can occur during prolonged voice use; yelling, screaming and forced voice use; or, even during routine use when there is inflammation or infection associated with laryngitis. Ariana tweeted “For those of u asking about my voice I screamed too much at my party totally irresponsible…”

Vocal cord hemorrhages, like Ariana’s and Adele’s and are not uncommon. In an interview on , Dr. Yagoda said, “Just like athletes, singers are at risk of injury from high levels of performance and even overexertion.” Generally not painful, vocal hemorrhages are typically associated with painless hoarseness of the speaking and/or singing voice. A visit to an otolaryngologist (ears, nose and throat doctor) specializing in care of the professional voice is in order. Proper diagnosis is made by endoscopy (a special lighted and magnified examination of the vocal cords during phonation). The use of steroids (often given for other causes of hoarseness) must be avoided as they can both cause the bleeding to increase, and they can mask other symptoms. Treatment of a vocal cord hemorrhage entails complete voice rest for up to two weeks, with interval endoscopic exams used to monitor the hemorrhage until it is gone.

By following the doctor’s prescription for complete voice rest, Ariana will likely have a long, monumental career. Failure to heed that advice can result in a premature and devastating end of her budding career.

The post Celebrity Update: Pop Star Ariana Grande gets silenced! appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!

DS — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:08:40 +0000

Had enough bad weather? Want to finally hear that “the sun will come out…tomorrow”?

Hear it first-hand from our friend, Lilla Crawford, as she stars in the Broadway revival of Annie. Ben Brantley of the New York Times called Ms. Crawford “pretty close to perfect in this title role.” If you or someone you know is a professional voice user, count on Dr. Yagoda to keep your voice healthy and strong!

The post The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick able to sing again!

DS — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:35:07 +0000

After receiving her second double lung transplant and worrying her voice would never be the same, opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick is able to sing again! Charity delivered an outstanding performance with her new set of lungs at the Indianapolis opera house. Check out this incredible story on this .

The post Opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick able to sing again! appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

New York’s own, Anne Hathaway is doubly blessed!

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:31:47 +0000

New York’s own, Anne Hathaway is doubly blessed! Not only is she a natural beauty, but she also has an amazing voice. Check out this YouTube clip of her singing a parody of “On my Own” from Les Miserables at the Oscars.

The post New York’s own, Anne Hathaway is doubly blessed! appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Does your throat hurt when you sing?

DE — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:29:33 +0000

Does your throat hurt when you sing? If so, you may not only have difficulty controlling the pitch, volume or quality of your voice, but you may injure your vocal chords.

Think Jessica Sanchez on Idol Top 3.

Read more at

The post Does your throat hurt when you sing? appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Wikihow: How to Sing

DS — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:44:52 +0000

Are you an aspiring ? Being in New York City only minutes from Broadway and 42 street can bring out the best singer in all of us. If it is your dream to be the next Adele, Tori Amos, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Chita Rivera, or even Ethel Merman you should see a vocal specialist. Voice care is just as important as healthcare.

Dr. Yagoda can ensure proper vocal function for that perfect sound, every time.

To find out more, visit

The post Wikihow: How to Sing appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Barry Manilow interview

DS — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:15:07 +0000

Music legend Barry Manilow performed three shows in New York City at Radio City Music Hall last week.

Check out this interview with him about his most recent tour and the health concerns that caused him to reschedule his New York dates.

Read more celebrity news on . While you’re there, Like us to get instant access to daily posts right on your Facebook Feed!

The post Barry Manilow interview appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.

After 35 Years, She Can Speak Again!

DS — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:28:05 +0000

A Kentucky woman is able to speak again after doctors operated on her larynx-

Embrace your voice, understand that you are unique and that your voice is your instrument- use it loudly and clearly. Above all, take care of it to the best of your ability. We only have one voice…

To ensure proper functionality, call Dr. Yagoda. She specializes in voice care and can keep you sounding beautiful.

Stay up-to-date by Liking Dr. Yagoda’s .

The post After 35 Years, She Can Speak Again! appeared first on Dr. Michelle Yagoda - NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon.