Can CPAP Affect Singing?

I'm sorry for my belated input but this is a serious problem for those who are serious singers. I need to offer some technical specifics to ensure we are on the same wave-length. I am an operatic tenor who uses flow phonation and does not allow my vocal technique into pressed phonation which is potentially damaging to the mucosal coating on the contact surface of the folds, nor do I use breathy tone.

I've been using an Automatic S9 CPAP machine with attached humidifier for years with variable results. Two years ago I was horrified to find the machine was seriously affecting my vocal production so stopped using it for about 18 months. My voice and the means by which I daily establish it, returned to normal within weeks. I have a big voice and one of my requirement is to be able to sing softly, short of entering a breathy tone, while retaining the vibrancy of full voice. This is a very critical requirement and anything that disturbs it is immediately obvious. My first thought was to clean the machine and tubes thoroughly, even wondering if it was possible to use ozone flushing but settled for the more mundane things like Dettol flushing and swabbing. When I tried it again I reverted to the same problem so reduced the pressure to minimum which seemed to help. I should mention that I have the full range of masks and had found the soft mask functioned well until I tried Quarto FX full face which seems to give a better seal while keeping the mouth closed. It would seem that the pressure reduction reduced air flow suggesting that the forced breathing was drying the folds and dry folds are the enemy of flow phonation. So now I'm beginning to think that forced machine breathing inhibits natural breathing and creates serious problems with establishing natural breathing after waking, shown by the continual need to yawn.

I hope there's a solution to this because I'm needing the machine more as AF makes its presence felt with advancing age. Thank you all.

I have recently had some rather large issues with my voice as a result of teaching--and talking over-groups of unruly students.
I had been an opera singer for over 16 years and was dismayed upon hearing that I had vocal nodes.
I am sure that the nodes are probably a result of this overuse and downright misuse of my voice, but it had been suggested that my CPAP may or may not be a cause. Upon further inspection, I found that my machine was not set to the proper setting for humidity 86%. (My sis-in-law happen to run a few sleep centers in AZ, and checked out my machine for issues.) This is the exact amount of humidity that is natural to your nose and nasal passages. All machines should be set to this reading.

Along with proper hydration, air purification, throat coats, proper breathing techniques and a speech therapist, I am sure anyone can recover their voice -barring vocal polyps etc.

Good luck...for me too.

That's ridiculous. 86% may be just the right setting for you on a given night or nights in Arizona, in a particular season (does Arizona even have 'seasons'?), but many of us in the rest of the world don't need or even use humidifiers at all except possibly for a few weeks in winter when central heating dries out our otherwise frigid homes that are in fact way too humid at times in summer. Some of us live near the ocean (or other water), and some have various nasal issues... all of which make a huge difference to how we all, as individuals, deal with humidity and machines... and to state, as you did, that a given percentage (on your particular machine) is the only correct one for everyone, singers or not, is just nonsense.

Julie wrote:That's just ridiculous, if you don't mind! 86% may be just the right setting for you on a given night or nights, IN Arizona, IN a particular season (does Arizona even have 'seasons'?), but many of us in the rest of the world don't need or even use humidifiers at all except possibly for a few weeks in winter when central heating dries out our otherwise frigid homes that are in fact way too humid at times in summer. Some of us live near the ocean (or other water), and some have various nasal issues... all of which make a huge difference to how we all, as individuals, deal with humidity and machines... and to state, as you did, that a given percentage (on your particular machine) is the only correct one for everyone, singers or not, is just nonsense.

86% is what a body wants/needs. Note it is a percentage which means if you have a heated hose it will keep it at that no matter where you are. My humidifier empties until the end of April - now i don't use half of the water - no change on my humidity setting.

Guess you're right - never thought of it that way (wish you'd just deleted my note or not quoted it at all!).

This is my first time on here, and in the 4th night of follow up testing with the unit. I am a band and choir director, plus prog. Vocalist for church. I have tried the fill mask. Noticed that I had a deep voice this morning, and a sore throat tonight. Shoul d I use the smaller mask, so the air from the tube is not going down my throat,? Concerned about the vocal cords.

The air is supposed to go down your throat. That is the way it opens up obstructions so you don't stop breathing during your sleep. If you breathe through your mouth you may get a dry sore throat. Concentrate on breathing through your nose.

Most of us find our balance of the right temperature, humidity, etc. within a fairly short time.
It is rare that cpap results in negative side effects in the voice. In fact, it is much more common to gain
vocal range and timbre as the entire body benefits from oxygenated blood and sufficient sleep.
I have found significant improvement is stamina and control; not only in my voice, but my entire body and brain.

How's your voice going to sound when you die in your sleep? How our you going to matain 86% humidity 24/7 in the real world. Rain 100%, Cold and Dry areas much lower, maybe instead of climate change we could throw money at humidy control, or build a room with the contfols built in to hide in. Jim

If you die in your sleep from not using your XPAP, you will be singing a different tune! With Harp backup.

Sometimes I too suspect that these reports are often just one more manifestation of De-Nile.
Even if it were true (which I doubt), it would be a reasonable trade-off for all the other benefits-
including a longer, healthier life; but, whatever floats your boat--(in Egypt)

Well I just have an interesting side light on this topic. I use the Oracle oral mask and have not noticed any change in my singing voice, but it definitely has affected my whistling with my lips (not between my teeth). I suspect that the outer clamping gasket is stretching or otherwise affecting my lip muscles because often after using the mask my ability to whistle is dramatically reduced. I have trouble achieving volume and control. I am talking about melodic whistling here not just making a solid tone. As the day goes on, the ability improves. What an odd phenomenon, and a bit disconcerting for me since I often whistle melodically while playing guitar.

I have begun serious singing in the last few years, after using cpap for many years now. I minimize the humidification so as not to use up all the water, but I think I have to go up past the first two settings. I have had several vocal issues. One is the presence of heavy phlegm or mucous on the cords, which only clear up after about 20 minutes of vocal exercises. I have to do those exercises every day if I want to sing well. Otherwise, my middle passage is unstable, and my vocal cords get irritated easily. I cannot push or belt or I get that same irritated sensation. A slight burning, and a raspiness in my ears. I don't think it's audible to anyone else, even with a microphone. I think it is the sustained passage of air, my pressure setting is 13. If you think about sticking your head out the window of a car while driving on the freeway with your mouth open, well, that is what the cpap is doing to your vocal cords. That and I do sleep with my mouth open, which seems impossible to prevent. Cpap is life support, so I think the only remedy is moisturizing the vocal cords, clearing them, and doing lots of appropriate daily vocalizing. After I do the vocal exercises, I should let it rest 15 minutes, then I can sing well for maybe 20-30 minutes before I wear out. I am a baritone, so I need different exercises from a soprano. My goal is to make sure the notes flow easily, evenly, throughout the range, with a full, open windway, and mixing registers. I hope I can find a teacher who can help. I like mixing mint tea with lemonade to lubricate and clear the throat. Tea with honey and whisky might also work. Or lots of vodka? Also, speak carefully, to avoid strain. Use Speech Therapy.

I think, don't expect much help from the Sleep Doctor. All they care about is that you use the cpap. They won't admit to the damage it might do. I just read an article online that suggested benzodiazepines can help with vocal-cord issues during sleep. Apparently, antihistamines have much the same effect on the central nervous system, so I would think Benadryl is an answer, and it will reduce congestion at the same time.

BaronZ wrote: I do sleep with my mouth open, which seems impossible to prevent.

The fact that you don't mention whether you use a nasal mask or a full face mask tells me you don't have a cl....

If you are using a nasal mask and your mouth is open, you are not using CPAP properly and can cause many kinds of damage.

There are ways to keep the mouth closed while sleeping. But, you seem to think you have all the answers and did not ask for help. So, bye.

I have been using XPAP eleven years now, I have never broke out in song, did XPAP do that? Jim