What actually happens when we speak, sing, or lose our voice entirely? In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Mr. Declan Costello—one of the UK’s leading ENT surgeons, laryngologists, and a classical singer himself.
Declan demystifies the complex anatomy of the vocal folds, explaining how a simple \"buzzing\" sound is modulated into the rich timbres of speech and song. Drawing from his unique dual background as a Cambridge choral scholar and a specialist surgeon, he shares vital insights into vocal pathology, the profound impact of emotion on speech, and why the aging voice is a \"use it or lose it\" muscle. Whether you are a professional performer or someone who simply relies on your voice for everyday communication, this episode is an essential masterclass in vocal care, debunking common myths (like gargling salt water) and highlighting when a hoarse voice is actually a sign to see a specialist.
Chapters
00:00 Intro — meet Declan Costello, ENT voice surgeon
00:43 What is the voice and how is it produced?
02:04 Vocal folds vs \"vocal cords\" — the real anatomy
03:42 Harmonics, overtones and vocal timbre explained
07:23 Vibrato — what it is and how singers control it
08:44 Singing in different languages
10:23 Declan's path from music at Cambridge to ENT surgery
13:38 What shows up on a singer's vocal cords
15:34 Stroboscopy — seeing the vocal cords in slow motion
16:16 Voice frequency and how voice is assessed (GRBAS scale)
18:18 Singers vs non-singers — why pathology differs
19:53 Vocal cord polyps — the Harry Kane example
21:31 Laryngeal papillomatosis — vocal cord warts
23:04 Hoarseness — when it could be something serious
24:21 Key takeaway: persistent hoarseness needs checking out
25:09 Emotional trauma and voice loss (aphonia)
27:17 Why getting checked early matters
28:24 Speech and language therapy — \"physiotherapy for the voice\"
29:34 Chronic throat clearing and the persistent cough cycle
30:50 Reflux, PPIs and throat symptoms
32:26 Hydration and vocal health
33:34 Steam inhalation for voice care
34:10 The \"singer's formant\" explained
35:58 Tonsillectomy considerations for singers
38:01 Globus pharyngeus — that \"lump in the throat\" feeling
39:54 How the voice changes with age
41:38 Retirement, muscle tone and \"use it or lose it\"
43:41 When should you actually see someone?
45:18 Common voice myths — gargling, aspirin, voice rest
46:13 Closing thoughts and wrap-up
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