Dr. Hazenfield -- Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor in Hawaii

Professional Voice Care

Hugh N. Hazenfield, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Hazenfield, who is Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, has both expertise and long-standing experience in providing care of the professional voice.  He has cared for professional voice patients both in Honolulu and Chicago.  If you are a professional singer, actor, or speaker, he understands that your voice is your livelihood.  Any difficulties that you are having with your voice usually require urgent attention.   

Larynx in Phonation               Larynx in Quiet Respiration

• Strobovideolaryngoscopy:

Dr. Hazenfield can best evaluate professional voice patients fully in his  Wahiawa office, where he offers strobovideolaryngoscopy. This technique allows you also to visualize your own larynx both in real time and in slow motion for your better understanding of the voice problem.  Dr. Hazenfield will make still photographs and videotapes, which permit him to review the findings for an more extended period of time after you have left the office.  He can provide copies of the videotape as well as the complete report as necessary to your own voice coach, speech pathologist,  primary care physician, and/or out-of-town laryngologist.

• Continuing Care for the Professional Voice Patient:

  • The Team:

    • YOU

    • Your Laryngologist

    • Your Voice Coach

    • Your Speech Pathologist

    • Your Primary Care Physician

Dr. Hazenfield strongly believes that the on-going care of the professional voice patient requires the input and commitment of the laryngologist, speech pathologist, voice coach, and your primary physician as well as that of you - the singer, actor, or speaker.  With the your permission, he will communicate with your producer, director, and agent - as well as with your other medical providers - to establish an appropriate treatment plan for you, helping you to preserve your voice.

As a laryngologist, I can treat your medical problems, but frequently resolution of your voice difficulties also requires the input of a voice coach and/or speech pathologist to help you develop better techniques in using your voice.  You are the most important member of "The Team", because you must do the following:

• Practice

• Warm-up your voice

• Follow proper singing and speaking techniques

• Avoid voice abuse

• Maintain healthful habits such as:

  • Adequate hydration

  • Avoid throat-clearing and forceful coughing

  • Avoid dust and environmental smoke

  • No smoking nor exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke

  • Proper diet:

    • Eat at least three or more meals per day

    • Avoid caffeine (after the morning), carbonated beverages, chocolate, mints, spicy and acid foods

    • Use alcohol in moderation - if at all

  • No eating or drinking for 3 hours before retiring (the stomach usually takes 3 hours to empty)

  • No eating or drinking at least 2 hours prior to a performance

    • This includes drinking water just prior to a performance.  Many professional singers do just this.  However, if you utilize your abdominal muscles properly for breath support, it can force the contents of the stomach upwards into the throat and larynx.  This results in an acid burn of the voice box.

   

• Medications:

  • Antihistamines may cause dryness of the throat and larynx.

  • Decongestants, such as pseudephedrine, alone or in combination with an antihistamine cause dryness.  Read the labels of over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, avoiding anything containing pseudephedrine.

  • Aspirin, NSAIDs, and blood thinners may cause bleeding beneath the lining of the vocal cords, leading to prolonged hoarseness.

  • Mucolytic agents, such as guaifenesin, may be helpful if taken with large quantities of water.

  • Topical anesthetic sprays or lozenges cause loss of sensation in the larynx.  Singing while using them is "like trying to play the piano while wearing gloves".

  • Menthol and mints can be very irritating to the vocal cords and increase gastric acid.

  • Progesterone-dominant birth control pills may cause irreversible virilization of the female larynx with a permanent loss of vocal range.  Consult with your gynecologist about alternatives.

 

• Singers, speakers, and performers visiting the islands are welcome.

Dr. Hazenfield and the office staff welcome you and will schedule a timely  appointment.  Hopefully this will be at a time convenient for you.  Usually, you can maintain your singing, performing, or speaking schedule.  Occasionally, it may be necessary for you to cancel an engagement or a performance.  Dr. Hazenfield will do whatever is possible to help you fulfill your scheduled obligations. 

Please call to make an appointment to be seen as soon as you notice vocal difficulties rather than a few hours before a performance.  That gives you the maximum time to respond to treatment.  Please remember that we are fitting you into an already busy schedule, but the staff and I will do whatever is possible to accommodate you.

As much as I wish to accommodate singers, speakers, and performers, it is impossible to adequately evaluate your vocal problems in your hotel room or backstage.  In order to evaluate your voice properly, I must have access to the equipment in my office.

A Wagnerian Musetta?

(I'm sorry that you cannot hear her sing on Mozilla Firefox.)

• If you are a professional singer, speaker, or actor coming for your first appointment or, if you are an established patient and wish to update your information, please follow this link to the Registration and History Section:

New Patients   

• You may download and complete the rather lengthy voice history forms prior to your visit.  You may also complete your demographic and insurance information on-line.  Follow the above link: "New Patients".

• I cooperate with most Mainland insurance companies, but in order to submit a claim, please bring your insurance card and the name, address, and telephone number of your insurance company.  If you do not have this information, I shall provide you with a completed insurance claim form so that you may obtain reimbursement from your own insurance carrier for fees you have paid. 

• Except for insurance specifically for citizens of other countries when traveling to the United States, I ask for payment of the professional fees at the time of your visit, but I shall provide you with a completed claim form for reimbursement directly to you.

• Singers referred by Hawaii Opera Theatre should ask Henry Akina, Karen Tiller, or Beebe Freitas to call me prior to your appointment regarding the reason for your visit so that we may all work together in keeping you singing!