Ever woken up in the middle of the night coughing and no matter how much you drink it just doesn’t seem to help it? Or mid song you hit that note a little uneven and you dry your voice out? So many things can affect us – sometimes even just getting into a car with the heating on can dry us out. Unfortunately due to poor technique some of us get that dry feeling whenever we sing. That dry catching in your throat is a singers worst nightmare, it can mean a few things, among others it could mean we have a cold coming, maybe that our voices are tired, we’re dehydrated, or we have poor breath support – all of which will severely affect our singing voice’s performance.
There is however a little savior in the form of a steam inhaler, It was something recommended to me when I was suffering with vocal issues when I was at college, and then packed it away and forgot about it. A few years ago I came across another singer with dry throat issues and recommended it to him – before remembering that it was something I should have really been doing on a daily basis as part of good practice.
Anyway I reinvested in new steam inhaler, and again being a bit naughty it stayed in its box until I came down with a cold, it was an irritating throaty cold where I lost my voice and couldn’t stop coughing throughout, I generally resembled Stevie Nicks for a few days. So I began to use my steam inhaler again, and it was one of the only things that did bring my poor dry throat relief. A few days later my voice had returned and I decided to go ahead with my scheduled students and teach for the evening. Which obviously was a mistake, 10 minutes into my lesson I was demonstrating an exercise and a cough caught my dry throat again, It was pretty horrendous, I felt like I was choking, I felt quite bad for my student to have to witness it (Sorry again Aaron!). Anyway my trusty steamer was in my bag and there was a kettle in the studio so luck was on my side. Within minutes it had pretty much instantly revived my voice, and I was able to carry on teaching for the next 4 hours with no other issues. To be honest I’d definitely forgotten just how good these little steamers were.
The sciencey bit
When we drink water it doesn’t actually pass over our vocal folds (if it did we would choke to death) so if you’re feeling dry and generally under the weather, or even just over worked, hydrating early enough and steaming is essential. The water that we drink doesn’t actually get to your vocal folds for quite a while, your body needs to absorb it first, the exact time for this varies differently depending who you talk to, some say it takes up to 12 hours for water to reach the vocal folds, others say it can take as little as 20 minutes to an hour, either way its widely agreed you will not receive instant hydration, you may however find some relief when the water reaches and re-hydrates the back of your throat and the swallowing action may massage the larynx and move around any moisture on the folds which is there to a degree.
Either way steaming is probably the best way to get direct hydration to your vocal folds. As you breathe in the steam the moisture will reach your vocal folds and help to re-hydrate, warm and soothe them, it may also help to reduce swelling and generally help to improve the condition of your voice. This of course does not replace your water intake so keep drinking!
So how do we steam?
The most efficient way to steam is with a steam inhaler, you can get them for £5-£10 online and they are well worth the investment (try to avoid the steam inhalers with the holes in the mouth/nose piece as the steam seems to escape out of the holes and limits the amount of steam reaching your vocal folds). I also recently invested in an a electric steam inhaler, I love it – it produces so much steam with such little water and I can steam for as long as I need. It does however get a little too warm at times so if you are going to use an a electric steamer please be careful not to scald yourself.
A steam inhaler is safer than using the old bowl and towel method, I think you get more direct steam and I find it a little more convenient as you can get on with other things whilst doing it. I always tell my students to steam when their putting their feet up watching TV or listening to music. I find my students who have a steam inhaler are more likely to regularly steam then those who have to dedicate a full 20 minutes a day to hanging over a bowl to steam.
Some tips for steaming
- When you steam you don’t want to use boiling water, you want it just off the boil.
- Make sure to create a good seal with the steam inhaler with your mouth to ensure you inhale as much steam as possible.
- Be sure not to add any oils or menthol/eucalyptus to the water as this can aggravate the voice. In a leaflet on voice care provided by the NHS it does say that 2 drops of camomile essential oil can be added to the water as it does contain an anti-inflammatory agent, I haven’t tried this myself but maybe worth a try.
- Some say not to speak or whisper for at least 20 minutes after, I usually recommend light humming or mms after steaming to help keep the voices elasticity. Definitely avoid singing for at least 10 mins after steaming to allow the vocal folds to cool.
- If its cold outside, make sure you don’t rush out into it. Breathing cold air in after you have steamed will most certainly be a shock to the vocal folds.
- Be careful not to tip it or use if its too hot for you! remember you are working with very hot water!
A lot of people ask me about steaming times – It depends on what your voice needs, most people recommend 5-10mins as often as you feel you might need to. If my voice is suffering from the affects of a cold I will steam as much as I can bare! If you are using the plastic inhalers which you need to add boiling water too after a while the steam will stop so i’d advise to stop once there is no more obvious steam. If you need more boil the kettle and start again! In time you will learn how long to steam for. But remember the affects arent always so obvious with steaming.
Steaming is probably one of your best tools in your Vocal SOS kit as a singer and it is something that is recommended by pretty much every form of specialist in voice from singing teacher to laryngologist. It is essential for people with tired and unhappy voices, and it is recommend for singers to steam two to three times a day for even healthy voices with medium to heavy vocal load.
Hello Sally,
Can you recommend any makes? I had a look on the web and couldn’t find any that didn’t have some terrible reviews which put me off. I want one specifically to moisten the vocal chords, like you, not explicitly for sinuses or the skin.
Many thanks
Michael
Hi Michael, I usually recommend the Vicks Steam Inhaler. Its the one that I personally use – I picked it up off of amazon for under £10, but some of my students prefer electronic steamers. If the steam inhaler works by channelling the steam into the mouth and nose then it doesn’t overly matter what they are advertising it as, just as long as you only use water and nothing else. Hope this helps!
Cool or warm steam? What is better for vocal cords? I am a teacher and voice is constantly strained/hoarsy by thursday
Hi its steam from just off the boil water, the same as which you would use when you have a cold. I usually boil the water pour and start inhaling when its bearable, be careful not to burn yourself.
Would cool steam form a nebulizer be just as efficient?
Hi Robb,
I can’t comment on cool steam from a nebulizer but I know more and more people are now using nebulizers now to steam (are they all cool steam? if so then YES!) and if I’m honest its on my wishlist, Id love to get my hands on one to try! If its making the water vapour airborne Im sure it will be coating the vocal folds, I’m just not sure of how easy it might be absorbed or how cool the steam is and if it may stiffen the folds? Have you steamed with a regular steam inhaler? With heat? There may be more benefits from the warmth to relax and help with the hydration. But Id say it may be down to what feels most effective for you!!
Hi Sally
How long should you use the steamer for each session? I’ve really been struggling over the past few weeks as the weather has gotten colder and colds seem to be spreading.
Regards
I usually use the hand held steamers and they will cool naturally, so I usually use until there is no more steam. However if I feel its not been enough I may boil the kettle and start again. Its really dependant on how you feel and how much relief you need. If your ill and can’t stop coughing then keep going, it means that your voice is very dry. Remember steaming doesn’t make up for drinking so make sure your keeping up your 2-3 litres!
Thank you for the tip against use of inhaled oils. I recently lost my voice completely for two days following steam inhalation with Olbas oil drops. The voice slowly returned to hoarse croaking on the third day. There had been vocal load the weekend before and mild cough had followed. I did wonder if the oils had actually made the voice worse?
These oils/ menthol crystals etc
are recommended for inhalation with steam as per accompanying data sheet. I now strongly feel that the data sheet should be revised to warn people!
What do you think?
Hi Shashi,
Very sorry for the delay, I had posted a reply back in december but it seems to have gone missing. I do think adding anything into the air or water you breath can have an affect on your voice and as singers it is terrible to have to deal with anything which may or may not hurt your voice. I think the issue comes with the fact the average person may not notice the difference with the oils at times and so many might not put down the affects to them. I would love to see much more awareness about inhaling / taking oils or medicines to make the voice feel better especially as most have a sometimes long time affect in our vocal health!
What about taking a steam bath? I found that very helpful. Anyone thoughts?
Hi Vi,
Yes I do think some people feel the benefit, I was once told by a teacher to turn on the shower to a hot temperature and steam that way if I didn’t have a steam inhaler. For me personally I find the handheld steamers much more practical for my students, especially if they are in the studio or on the run or don’t have the time to take a bath. I think the thing to consider is what you think works for you personally and also the added benefits to taking a steam bath and relaxing has on your voice! 🙂 Maybe one thing to think about also the amount of steam you are able to take on from whatever you are using. Some steam inhalers give off more steam then others, some are great and some not so, all I know is I want to get as much direct steam inhaled and across my vocal folds as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Have you tried a steam inhaler? or even the good old fashioned bowl of hot water and a towel. What do you prefer? steam bath? inhaler or bowl? it would be great to hear what you find works best for you 🙂
How long do the affects last after a steam. If I’m performing at 7:00 p.m., when should I steam to have the best benefits? Thank you.
Hi Rebecca,
I think it depends on what you are doing, the environment you are in and how hydrated you are. If you steam and then walk into a room with heating or air conditioning which could be quite dry, or if people are using aerosols or perfumes around you that can then effect your vocal folds immediately. Its best to steam often through the day and then maybe just before a performance if you can and Always after. But once you get into a routine with steaming you’ll find what helps you personally. Its always better to steam more than necessary than not enough.
Hello Sally! Thank you for the article. Have been wondering what is the best way to steam: breathing in through your nose, out – through the mouth? Or just breathing in and out through the mouth? Many thanks,
Anna
Hi Anna, I usually find the best way to get the steam to the vocal folds is to just breath in and out through the mouth. Your trying to get as much vapour onto the folds and I think that can get lost through the nose 🙂
Thank you for the reply, Sally 🙂
You are very welcome 🙂
I think breathing through the nose is the best way. Check the larynx anatomy on Google.
Hi Jo,
Thanks for your comment, Its great to hear peoples personal findings! do you steam often and do you find it best with an electric steamer or hand held? have you experimented both ways (through mouth / nose) to see what feels best for you?
As for googling the larynx – Im quite familiar with the anatomy of the larynx, its function, cartilages and musculature, where do you suggest looking as I am always keen to learn more – if you find any articles worth reading please send them my way! Especially if its regarding topical steam inhalation as most of my training comes from speech therapists, surgeons and voice doctors through personal discussion and at specialist courses for voice care and rehabilitation, it would be wonderful to read any studies / medical journals with gravity on the subject if you find any, I know my many of my students would be interested also!
From a personal standpoint I would wonder how much heat and moisture we would lose by taking the steam through the the nose alone and not with the mouth also, as the steam would come through the nasopharyngeal cavity before it continues on down the the vocal tract (oropharynx/laryngopharynx) pass the epiglottis and onto the true vocal folds. From my understanding of the vocal mechanism, by breathing through the mouth also – if I was to think about it further, I would have to believe that taking the steam directly through the Mouth/Oral Cavity > Oropharynx/Laryngopharynx > True Folds, would suggest to me that it is the most direct route.
Although logic would say that if you can breathe through both the nose and mouth at the same time you would be taking on more steam and more heat simultaneously so that may just be something to practice rather than one or the other.
As an avid steamer for many years I have always found that breathing through the mouth works best for me, as through the nose its not always comfortable with the heat or that easy to breathe – especially if we’re steaming to support our voices through colds. I however am not an expert on steaming, I can only pass on the knowledge of what I have experienced and the teachings of those around me and always welcome people sharing when they find alternative approaches which work for them as there may be others on here who find the same (please comment if you are reading this as id love to hear what people prefer!).
I am actually currently away on a 3 day course for the Rehabilitation of the Injured Singing Voice with some wonderful Speech Therapists, Specialist Vocal Rehabilitation Coaches and The head of Speech and Voice of a well respected hospital so I will put the question to them to see their opinion, as it is usually one of the most common questions people ask when steaming. It would be good to put it to the group to see what their suggestions are and if they believe it makes any difference.
What I will say though is I believe we find the best ways of making things work for us as individuals, and a little bit of experimentation to see what feels the better / warmer / more soothing / most hydrating is always important. A lot of people do not always feel the immediate affects of steaming though so I would take that into account when finding the right way for you.
Thank you for your comment I always love to hear others opinions and experiences with steaming as so many voice specialists recommend it and I have heard so many wonderful success stories with the use of it!
Hi there, great article! Other than a Vicks inhaler, do you recommend any other steamers? Thank you 🙂
Hi Emma, Thank you for your comment, I have recently been using an electric steamer (its a facial steamer with a mouth attachment which I find really helpful, it was only £20 so quite cheap) Im sure most other handheld steamers will be equally as efficient as the vicks steam inhaler although I would steer clear of the ones with the holes in the mask as some of my students have commented on how the steam seems to just escape and are not as good as those which do not have them. Hope this helps!
Hi Sally,
I am a professional singer and gig 4-5 times a week. I now have nodules from incorrect techniques (I think) in the beginning of my career.
I make sure I am hydrated, sleep with a humidifier on, watch what I eat and drink etc.
Can you recommend anything other than steaming and the usual, to heal my nodules please?
I am currently having speech therapy too.
Elaine xx
Hi Elaine, When it comes to an injury sometimes its the case of allowing it time and the ability to heal (not necessarily just to stop singing or speaking but to adapt your vocal use) are you still gigging at the moment?
When I work with singers with nodules or polyps I work with them along side a speech therapist working on instilling a healthy and non pressured technique whilst working with tried and tested relaxation and strengthening exercises, this is what I find actually most beneficial when trying to rebuild a voice. The problem is with your typical good vocal health / hygiene approaches (steam/hydrate etc) whilst essential, it is only ever a fraction of the way to recovering and building back your voice. It takes time and the right guidance not only to recover your voice but to also learn how to build a technique and vocal health approach which will stop the problem returning, I would always advise finding a vocal technique tutor who understands vocal injuries and how to promote recovery to help support you and your progress as healing an injury and fixing a technical problem which leads to injury is two separate issues, you wouldn’t want to spend months recovering, to find yourself in the same predicament later on in your career.
Have you found a vocal teacher to help rebuild your voice?
Have you also been shown the bottle and straw exercises?
Its important to regularly do your speech therapy exercises, and focusing on what they have asked you to feel and pay close attention to any tension creeping in. All of your exercises need to be relaxed and non pressured.
I hope this makes sense. I wish you all the best in your recovery!
Please let me know if I can help you further!
I’ve never seen a vocal teacher or trust specialist and I’ve been singing since I was 9 years old. I recently have felt my throat a bit more hoarse and tired. Any recommendations? I live in Chicago… thanks!
Hi Brenda,
Have you changed what your singing? or any new changes to your day to day voice use? Sometimes new medication, stress, allergies and environment can affect your voice, and unfortunately sometimes growing older can affect the songs we can sing. I know that its said that every 5 – 10 years most singers need to re-address what keys they sing their songs in and changes can happen as early as the difference between a 10 year old to a 16 year old to a 26 year old etc. A female voice fully develops / settles at about 35 so what you could sing as a child can change drastically. It may be worth looking at how you sing, what you sing and for how long. Can you tell me what type of songs you would sing? and how long you might practice for? Without hearing you its hard to judge what may be causing you issues, but id recommend looking for a vocal technique tutor who specialises in vocal technique and care to help you get to the bottom of the problem! Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Hi Sally! I have a condition called Recurrent Respiratory Papilloma and came across this article while looking for ways to steam (this was something I just learned about, although I’ve had the condition for a number of years!) When you steam from a bowl, how long do you recommend this be done? I see you say to use your mouth, I’ll do that! Thank you for the great resource of information.
Hi Megan,
Thank you for getting in touch! I have found that sometimes a bowl isn’t as efficient as direct steam from a personal steam inhaler / electric steam inhaler. But I should imagine the same as with a personal inhaler – just until there is no steam coming off or for as long as you can bare! You might not always feel the difference as you steam and you may need to keep doing it often to feel the benefits but hopefully you find it beneficial! Hope this Helps!
My husband found this for me, as at the moment I was under a sheet and over a kettle of recently-boiled water. Excellent post and discussion. Over several years I have found that steaming provides great relief, as I tell stories onstage for up to an hour at a time, and frequently get respiratory miseries of different sorts. The exchange over nasal vs. mouth steaming was particularly interesting to me. I do trail-and-error, and usually do both. My nasal passages are terribly narrow, so that often my sinuses cannot drain, even while infected, so lately nasal breathing gets the most attention, but just this morning I could feel and hear my throat becoming unstuck with more mouth breathing. Thanks for the reminder to hydrate!
Hi Kathleen,
Its great to hear you get so much relief from steaming, and interesting to hear what you found with mouth breathing, I personally find it quite uncomfortable breathing in through the nose when steaming as i must be quite sensitive to it but it seems to be recommended for both at the same time! Its good to hear you doing both!!
Hey Sally, this has been great to read, whilst I’m steaming lol. I’m an actress & started to have issues with my voice on a job earlier this year. I got told to steam for 10mins & then not talk for 2hrs after, is this correct? It looks like you said you can talk again after 20mins, but just want to make sure, as that would make my life easier & have had to say a few words within the 2hrs to communicate something important. Plus that would mean I could eat & get on with my day more too. Let me know.
Also I use the vicks vapour steamer & it does have a hole in it, but I thought that was so that you don’t suck up the water, as the suction can be quite strong. Again is that the case? As I don’t know why the hole is there & need to know if I need to get another one. Thank you
Hi Dani,
Thanks for your message! The industry professionals, voice rehab specialists and performer specialist doctors which I have worked with tend to recommend steaming for 10 minutes then no singing for either 10-15 minutes or 15-20 depending on who you are speaking to, 2 hours voice rest seems a little excessive even if it is after steaming, even for injury. Obviously I can’t comment as I do not know on your personal circumstances. But even the singers I have worked with who have come to me suffering either nodules or polyps have been given the same advice by their rehab specialists. If you are using the hand held vicks steamer (which you pour hot water into) and not the electric steamers (which you plug in) you aren’t getting the same intensity of heat or vapour and so I believe the quite time would only need to be kept to a minimum. If you are recovering from injury certain rehab routines would have you do your vocal exercises on the hour. I would be interested to know why they are asking you to not speak for 2 hours after steaming?
You are right hole in the steamer is to help with suction (its usually quite small), I had meant the two large holes in the side of the mouth piece which you find on some steamers which tend to be as big as a bottle top so are quite large. I don’t believe the vicks steamer has these larger holes but feel free to email me a picture if you’d like further advice!
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi Sally. I bought a mavis personal steamer which has a tray for oils. I am 67 male. Sometimes I can sing an entire gig without voice problems. Sometimes after the 3rd or 4th song my voice gets strained. I am a soft singer and use the PA for volume. Do I need to add oils to my steamer or just use the steamer. If I need to add oil, which “one” is the best. Thanks
Hi Mike!
Thank you for your message, there is no need for oils. In fact some oils may be more of an irritant for your voice and may cause you more harm than good. Sticking with the steam is best!
There can be a few factors coming into play if you are having comfortable gigs and then some more difficult gigs. It can be the venues themselves, acoustics, certain song choices, the order of your songs, your energy levels on that day, stress, hydration, silent reflux, to name but a few things, I could go on and on! I would try and keep a note of when you are struggling, and see if you can pin point anything which may be contributing to your effort levels on the night. Working with someone on your current sets to see if there are any technical areas which can be improved on may also help! The thing to remember is that your voice is very susceptible to very minor changes and it can have quite a noticable affect on your range, tone and stamina. Any change within your voice should be taken seriously, as its better to catch these things before they get worse! Try not to panic too much though! Our voices often go through rough patches and with a little TLC they get back on track quite quickly!
Please let me know if you have any further questions!