COVID-19: Impact on the Musician and Returning to Singing; A Literature Review

Overview

Journal J Voice

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2021 Feb 15

PMID 33583675

Citations 11

Authors

Dylan Vance

Priyanka Shah

Robert T Sataloff

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review current literature of the impact of COVID-19 on musicians and returning to singing.

Methods: A comprehensive search of peer-review articles was completed using PubMed, GoogleScholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was completed using many key terms including voice, hoarseness, dysphonia, aphonia, cough, singers, and public speakers. The bibliography from each article found was searched to find additional articles. The search process revealed 56 peer-reviewed articles, 18 primary articles, ranging from the years 2019 to 2020.

Conclusion: COVID-19 has had a major impact on singers and other musicians worldwide. It can affect the voice and can lead to paresis/paralysis of laryngeal nerves to long-term changes in respiratory function. There is a risk from aerosolization/droplet formation transmission with singing, and with playing wind and brass instruments that can be mitigated by following COVID-19 guidelines. Ways to reduce possible transmission during singing and instrument play include virtual rehearsals or performances, mask-wearing, instrument covers, smaller choirs, performing outside, excellent ventilation being socially distanced, shorter rehearsals, regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces and washing hands, avoiding contact with others, and temperature screening.

Citing Articles

Prevalence and associated factors of dysphonia in non-hospitalized Thai COVID-19 patients: a descriptive study with Thai-VHI10 Assessment.

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A qualitative exploration of active ingredients and mechanisms of action of an online singing programme with mothers experiencing postnatal depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: SHAPER-PNDO study.

Burton A, Bind R, Davis R, Greenwood L, Lee C, Estevao C BMC Psychol. 2024; 12(1):714.

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Between privilege and exclusion: Orthodox church singers coping with the Covid-19 lockdown.

Takala-Roszczenko M Arch Psychol Relig. 2024; 45(2):210-226.

PMID: 38603323 PMC: 9988621. DOI: 10.1177/00846724231158409.

Aggravated exposure risks of children to multipath transmitted pathogens in indoor environments.

Liu Z, Hu L, Hu C, Liu Q, Liang Z, Rong R iScience. 2023; 26(12):108433.

PMID: 38077123 PMC: 10700860. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108433.

Dysphonia and Throat Clearing in Singers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

Santanna S, Duprat A, Andrada E Silva M, Bittencourt M J Voice. 2023; .

PMID: 37722981 PMC: 10192596. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.05.008.

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