Deviated Septum and Your Voice : Your Health with Dr. Jahn

Dear Dr. Jahn,

I was told that I have a deviated septum and surgery was recommended. Would you recommend this and how might it affect my voice and breathing? How long will it take to get back to normal voice and breathing? Any other cons to getting it fixed?

Sincerely,

Jessica T.

Dear Jessica T.,

A deviated nasal septum is a common finding, and simply means that the partition in your nose that separates the nasal cavity is not straight (vertical), but is curved. It may not cause any symptoms, or it may be partially obstructing one or both nasal passages.

I would recommend fixing this only if you have bothersome symptoms, and if you (and your doctor) can attribute those symptoms to the deviated septum. These symptoms may include nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, nd recurrent sinus infections, Further, singers with a significant septal deviation may also be aware of a nasal voice, and difficulty in putting voice into the mask.

Properly done, it has been my experience that straightening the septum actually improves the voice in several ways. First, it improves nasal resonance, and makes it easier to put the voice into the mask as you go into had voice. Singers also tell me that the voice moves forward, and may seem brighter, Some patients have also been told, by their voice teachers or other listeners, that the voice has gotten bigger following septoplasty.

With all that said, any procedure, no matter how routine, has potential complications. You need to have an informed discussion with your doctor in this regard before you proceed.

Dr. Jahn