singers with mechanical heart valves please help!!!

[VBahl]

Wohhh!!! Hi guys , singers/ vocalists dealing with clicking of the mechanical valve!!

I am a singer and I have had a mechanical valve in since past 8months. I haven’t recorded any new tracks since then but I have been hearing clicking sound of the valve while recording over my phone mic. Which makes me really anxious that how will I record my vocals in a studio… should wear some sound deadening foam around my chest or what… please help if any vocalist/actor has tried any techniques. Thank you so much

[Anon2023]

hi. I can’t help with the singing but I can say that after the valve has bedded in (mine was about 18months) the ticking does get quieter. X

[ILowe in reply to Anon2023]

My valve is noisy even after nearly 30 years. After the op I was treated with the dangerous antibiotic: gentamycin, and that requires regular ear tests in a sound proof room. I think the technician could not do a full test!

But, it all depends on you and your equipment. Try it. Change computers. Try using a headphone mic. When we all had to do zoom there was a hidden setting that helped. Whenever you do recording in a new situation there can be background noises that are amplified. I have done youtube videos using a good headset without problems.

[VBahl in reply to ILowe]

Thank you sir for your advice. It has been 30years with your valve ? If you don’t mind sharing your experience How has the journey been so far for you ?

[ILowe]

Easy, until Atrial Fibrillation of the problem kind kicked in. I learned to self dose the warfarin so was independent.

[VBahl in reply to ILowe]

You are a very learned man as I can see you are an expert, I’m quite sure a person like me with no medical and science knowledge would have to depend on doctors, I wonder if atrial fibrillation and having an aortic mechanical valve have any connection and if it’s so, is it possible to develop the atrial fibrillation all of a sudden …

[ILowe in reply to VBahl]

I do not know about the Aortic. I was told for the Mitral that I would probably develop AFib, and I did after 20 years or so. What I was not told was the link with Heart Failure.

You are interested in Singing. I find singing is a great form of lung clearance. I also use my singing ability as a clear indication of how much water on the lungs I have. That is because I take a water tablet erratically in the hopes of delaying the dreaded resistance to them.

[VBahl in reply to ILowe]

Yes I’m a professional singer. regular practice does help to build lung capacity. It’s a good exercise. I hope you feel good sir and please take care of yourself.

[Hidden]

Hi VBahl, I'd love to say I'm a singer, but, other than the odd Karaoke over the years that's it for me. I've only had my Mech Valves for nine years, Aortic and Mitral, before that I had a Tissue. To be honest, mine have been fairly quiet and compared to my original Aortic they are, somewhat silent. That said ive had the odd person asking what the ticking noise is over the years, although that has been less and less since they became more bedded in. AFib tends to be an issue after surgery not so much at a later date, so hopefully you've avoided it. As for Warfarin, try not to worry about it, you'll have your ups and downs but in time learn what you can and can't do.

[VBahl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! After reading your bio all I can say is that you are a real fighter!

I wish you the best.