Are Adele's Voice Problems a Wake Up Call for Young Singers?

With her second album currently sitting atop the Billboard 200, Adele is one of the hottest young artists around, but a vocal chord hemorrhage forced her to cancel her North American tour. Could this send a message to young singers who overuse and abuse their voices to learn proper technique? According to specialist Phyllis Hoffman, injuries like Adele's are happening more than ever to young singers, usually a result of fatigue, strain, and a lack of training:

Hoffman blames such injuries on “our reality TV music culture,’’ because of the seemingly increasing volume of young singers who go from occasional amateur performances to intense, daily singing sessions in an effort to make a name and build their brand. 

“It’s using the body in an excessive manner. And it makes me cringe when I see it,’’ said Hoffman, BU’s chairwoman of Applied and Performance Studies and a professor of music and voice at the school. “Young people perform on these shows that require them to throw caution to the wind in exchange for a chance at fame.’’

There's some pretty good information about the stress singing does to one's voice in this Jezebel post, too, with a handful of singers and vocal coaches chiming in. As as casual, but wouldn't-embarrass-herself-on-karaoke-night kind of singer, I'm finding these discussions most informative, as I haven't set foot in a formal music class in more than twenty years. I don't sing often, but I've always hated that I can't belt. I can reach the notes, but it sounds more choir-girl than soul singer. I think I'm going to be okay with that.