Why You Shouldn’t Push Through Hoarseness During the Holidays
The holiday season is full of performances, travel, events, and conversations. For vocal professionals, it’s a high-demand time. But one of the biggest mistakes voice users make this time of year is pushing through hoarseness.
Hoarseness Is a Signal, Not an Inconvenience
If your voice has been hoarse for more than two weeks (or just a few days if you’re a professional voice user), it’s time to take it seriously. Hoarseness is often dismissed as “just overuse” or “a cold,” but it can indicate deeper issues like:
Vocal fold swelling or irritation
Microvascular injuries (tiny bruises that worsen with use)
Injury (nodules, polyps) developing from overuse
Underlying reflux or inflammatory conditions
During the holidays, these issues are easily masked by busy schedules and adrenaline. That’s exactly why they often get missed—until they become bigger problems.
The Holiday Pressure to Push Through
Singers may be in rehearsal and performance mode. Teachers are projecting over excited classrooms. Speakers and content creators are navigating high communication seasons. And of course, the inevitable coughing from illness, which pushes everything over the edge.
In these scenarios, resting your voice can feel impossible—early intervention can avoid cancellation and long term injury. Get a call in to your laryngologist if you're hoarse or sick and need to perform.
When to Get Checked
If your voice is:
Rough or raspy for more than 10–14 days (1-2 days for singers, actors, etc)
Fatigued after short periods of use
Accompanied by vocal pain or effort
...then it’s time for a stroboscopy to evaluate what’s happening below the surface.
Your Voice Is Worth Protecting
At the Center for Vocal Health, we use advanced diagnostic tools to identify even subtle vocal injuries early—often before they become career-disrupting problems. Don’t wait for the new year to care for your voice. If you feel off, schedule an evaluation before the holiday rush.
