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Can rhinoplasty change your voice?

Q:

Will rhinoplasty somehow change the voice?  I'm afraid it will affect my singing voice after the surgery.

A:

It can, depending on how severe your nasal obstruction is prior to or after surgery.  Obviously some people are known for their very nasal sounding voices.  If the operation opens the airway for this person, they may become less nasal sounding.  So, the question to ask your doctor is what do they think.  It's always safest not to have surgery when it comes to questions like this since you cannot undo an operation.

Jay W. Calvert, M.D.
Beverly Hills, CA

A:

If your nose is "hyponasal," or sounds blocked or stuffed up because of airway obstruction, opening the airway will add resonance.  Rhinoplasty will not change the singing voice .

Mark B. Constantian, M.D., FACS
Nashua, NH

A:

Ordinarily, a rhinoplasty does not change a person’s voice. This is for the average person who sings recreationally (maybe at karaoke), has normal conversations, etc.  However, if you are a performer and your livelihood depends on the specific tonality of your voice, a rhinoplasty may change this.  Others may not notice any change in the voice whatsoever during conversation, but you might notice some changes, especially if you are tuned in to the subtle aspects of your voice, and especially if it is a part of your career. Nonetheless, most rhinoplasties are not likely to change your voice and nasal sound characteristics significantly, if at all.  However, if you are having significant and dramatic work done on the nose, such as alteration of the sinuses, fracturing of the turbinates, correction of a deviated septum, or radical changes in the nasal bone position, it is conceivable that your voice will be subtly different.

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