In light of the recent news of Cosima Di Vito's withdrawal from Australian Idol due to vocal nodules, I will explain what vocal nodules, or more correctly vocal fold nodules are. I will be referring to a favourite book of mine:

When you breathe the vocal folds (also known as vocal cords) open to let the air into the lungs. When you create any sound such as talking, singing, coughing, yelling or grunting for example the air passes back through the vocal folds and causes a 'wavy' motion as the air is expelled. The vocal folds need to close to a certain degree to create a sound (if they do not close or 'approximate' efficiently, allowing more air than usual to escape, a 'breathy' tone (sound) is heard).

What are vocal fold nodules?

Vocal fold nodules (commonly called nodes) are caused when the vocal folds collide into each other (when closing to create sound) at high-force. Over time, fibrous, callous-like material may form and create tissue change at the point of the greatest colliding.

This high-force colliding can be caused by loud and/or incorrect phonation (the making of any sound) over a period of time.

Some professionals referred to the earlier tissue change as soft nodules due to the formation of a soft, tapered swollen bump. They are only swellings and some may resolve with only a few days of voice recovery (rest), while others may take longer to resolve.

True vocal fold nodules may be referred to as hard or fibrous nodules. They are sometimes tapered into surrounding tissue, and sometimes they are sharply formed with pointed tips.

Nodules may cover an area of 1 to 3 mm or more. Even 1 mm is a large area when you consider the vocal folds are relatively small.

Can vocal fold nodules be cured?

Thurman & Welsch says "If the condition that initiated the nodules is removed or reduced there is a good chance the body will be able to resorb part or all of nodules. The longer the nodules remain, the greater the likelihood that they may become too solids and "stubborn" for resorption. The amount of time that elapses before nodules become stubborn or chronic is variable in different people."

Articles from The Age Newspaper

Throat nodules force Cosima's withdrawal

Refunds for Idol votes

Article by Michelle White, a student majoring in communication disorders at Marshall University, West Virginia, USA, discusses this subject and a photo of vocal fold nodules in an article titled Prevention of Vocal Nodules