Adele is one of the most successful and acclaimed singers of the 21st century. However, her incredible voice has been affected by vocal cord damage. So how did Adele’s vocal cords get damaged in the first place?
What are vocal cords and what do they do?
Vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are two bands of tissue inside the larynx (voice box) that vibrate to produce sound when air from the lungs passes through them. This vibration creates voices and enables us to speak and sing.
Healthy vocal cords open and close smoothly and efficiently to produce sound. Damaged vocal cords may not move properly or close completely, resulting in hoarse, raspy, or weak voices.
When did Adele first experience problems with her voice?
Adele first began having vocal issues in late 2011, after her album 21 and massive world tour that year. She reportedly had a benign polyp on her vocal cords that had to be surgically removed. Recovery from the surgery forced her to cancel several shows in 2011.
After a few months of vocal rest, Adele’s singing voice returned and she was able to continue her tour and perform at high profile events like the 2012 Grammy Awards. However, it appears the initial damage to her vocal cords started a cascade of issues.
How did singing impact the problem?
Singing requires a tremendous amount of vocal stamina and power. As Adele continued performing and recording after her initial vocal cord polyp, the repeated stress and strain placed on her voice exacerbated the damage.
Extensive singing without proper vocal rest can cause vocal cord injuries including:
- Vocal cord hemorrhaging – small bleeds on the vocal cords
- Vocal cord nodules – callous-like growths
- Vocal cord polyps – similar to nodules but fluid-filled
Adele was diagnosed with a vocal cord hemorrhage in early 2012 after her Grammy performance. She described the hemorrhage as a “bloody blister” that made singing incredibly painful.
How did Adele’s voice change after the damage?
As Adele battled these ongoing vocal cord issues, her usually pure, rich singing voice began to change. Recordings from the time period reveal her voice had become weaker, raspier, and hoarser.
She was unable to hit high notes like she used to, and the vocal power that propelled songs like “Rolling in the Deep” was diminished. It’s clear the damage to her vocal cords was making it very difficult for her to sing in the same way.
Why did Adele have vocal cord surgery in 2011?
After dealing with worsening vocal cord damage for nearly two years, Adele decided to undergo vocal cord surgery in November 2011. The procedure was performed by renowned throat surgeon Dr. Steven Zeitels in Boston.
The goal of the surgery was to clear scar tissue from Adele’s vocal cords and restore strength and smoothness to her singing voice. The surgery involved these key steps:
- Lasers were used to remove the problematic scar tissue and lesions that had built up
- Special instruments stretched and massaged the vocal cords
- An injections of fat-based filler was administered to reinforce the vocal cords
This delicate procedure lasted over three hours and required Adele to undergo complete vocal rest afterward to allow for proper healing.
What was Adele’s recovery process like after surgery?
Post-surgery, Adele had to refrain from singing or even speaking for several weeks in order for her vocal cords to fully recuperate. She communicated using sign language and writing. A long, meticulous recovery process then followed over the next several months.
Adele slowly began singing again but avoided straining her voice. Even simple speech had to be carefully managed. It took nearly a year before she could truly test out her voice’s capabilities.
There was no guarantee the surgery would restore her original voice, but Adele progressed well. With excellent ongoing vocal care, her voice eventually healed remarkably.
How has Adele modified her singing style to protect her voice?
While Adele’s surgery was a success, her vocal cords will always be more vulnerable to injury. To prevent further damage, she has made adjustments to her singing technique and performance style:
- Avoids belting and reaching for high notes unnecessarily
- Uses more gentle, nuanced vocals instead of powerful belting
- Sings in lower keys to avoid straining upper range
- Drinks herbal teas and uses humidifiers to soothe vocal cords
- Does regular vocal warm ups and vocal rests between shows
Adele has also changed how she tours – spacing out shows more, keeping sets shorter, and doing less chatting to protect her voice. Her adapted singing style retains her signature sound but minimizes risk.
Could vocal cord damage end Adele’s singing career?
It’s remarkable Adele’s voice recovered so well after haemorrhaging and polyps. However, the damage has forever changed the structure and capabilities of her vocal cords.
If she continues straining her voice, especially through long tours, further irreparable injury is possible. Some singers like Sam Smith and John Mayer have needed second surgeries when initial procedures failed.
Many singers do successfully modify their technique after vocal cord operations. But vocal issues have forced some artists, like Adele’s idol Julie London, into premature retirement.
Only time will tell if Adele can maintain her career long-term. For now, fans hope with proper vocal care she will continue gracing us with her iconic voice for years to come.
Conclusion
Adele’s remarkable voice has brought joy to millions, but achieving such vocal mastery came at a cost. Her intense singing style combined with the demands of fame put enormous pressure on her vocal cords, leading to polyps, hemorrhaging, and eventually surgery.
Thankfully Adele had access to top-tier medical care and time for proper voice rehabilitation. With adjustments to protect her instrument, this beloved songbird continues sharing her gift of song.