To quit my job over this

[jobprobz]

I've started a new job 3 months ago and it's in a nightclub (bar work) I'm a student so it's my only job right now.
Problem is ever since I worked there I have had serious voice strain from shouting over the dj and I really need to quit but after applying for other jobs nothing as of yet so AIBI if I quit and claim jsa until I find something else or should I stick it out until I find something else bearing in mind I have no voice and it's getting worse.

I did a small contact centre pulling less than 100 calls a day. I've mucked up my vocal chords so my talking voice is husky and I can't make them work to sing.

With this pandemic I don't know when I'll be able to get speech therapy on the NHS.

Protect your vocal chords if you can.

I should add that I left that job almost 4 years ago and its barely improved...

Can you get the same hours in a quieter cafe/ restaurant????

Log on to the UC platform and message your work coach.
You can't claim jsa as you're already on UC.
From the info you've given you'd just need to do a change of circs if you quit your job.

@EverNapping oh no I'm so sorry to hear that, 4 years! Now I'm panicking! This was my worry.

I know it's universal credit but I called it JSA thought it was the same sorry.

Best to catch it early and get some help.

I understand I should just need vocal exercises, but until then, being unable to sing along to music is such a soul sucker.

Thank you for all your takes it was good to get some perspective. I'll speak to a dr about speech therapy to save my voice and look for something else, worst case I get a sanction and we cope with dp wages but it's the price of health.
I might have to stay off until I get better and if that takes weeks then hopefully I will have something else by then.
I don't want to deliberately get sacked as they're a nice team and I'd quite like a reference.

people always say speak up or project your voice I'd love to know how people do that

Google it!

No, you won't be able to claim benefits by just quitting. Especially if you live with a partner who is working.

How many hours do you study per week?

I’d be more worried about my ears than throat. The db volume that most clubs operate at will be damaging public your ears within minutes. Only a little at a time but it’s irreversible.

Don’t know where the world ‘public’ came from in post above!

Hospitality is short staffed currently. I’d try to find a job in a quiet pub or a restaurant. Don’t carry on like this OP.

I agree.

You’ve learnt some good skills so you could easily transfer these to a quieter, easier job in a cafe, pub or restaurant.

I would try very hard to get a job before quitting as UC are terrible at stopping payments.

@EightWheelGirl

I’d be more worried about my ears than throat. The db volume that most clubs operate at will be damaging public your ears within minutes. Only a little at a time but it’s irreversible.

Very, very true. Tinnitus and hearing loss are even more of a concern.

I also have mild tinnitus and that's worse than a husky voice.

You cannot claim JSA as a student. You have your student loan to live off presumably?

@jobprobz

I'm already claiming universal credit I just have to be in work or looking for work to receive it but with this job I am working the required hours for the top up, my partner also works full time so it would be a case of going back to where I was before I took this job and looking for work but now I've taken this I'm screwing my voice more every shift and literally for nearly 3 months I have just a strained whisper nobody can hear.

If you are claiming UC and are a full time student then you have no work commitments. Unless the studying isn't classed as full time. If your partner works full time you would be in the light touch group anyway ?

To project your voice…the first thing you need Id a good place to practice. It’s hard explain but the sound comes from your diaphragm.

What is your favorite song that you will belt out with reckless abandon… play that song, but sing it from your gut. Feel the difference from singing from your voice? No, find another song…aim for one that isn’t pop. Yes, good no you know what it feels like. Your work is the best place to practice since it’s loud and nobody will think you are crazy for shouting.

Seriously this is a skill. I can do demos in loud expo halls and be heard above the din all day without affecting my speaking voice. You can learn it

Voice training might help you, but as others have said, there are loads of places looking for staff at the moment so hopefully it won't be too long before you get another job (I'm the next county up from Devon and just about everywhere you look people are advertising vacancies). I would be inclined to see if the GP can sign you off, as that environment can't be good for your voice - years ago on a course I did the trainer said how daft it was that people like teachers and those who work in noisy environments aren't issued with mics as standard.

I would struggle to work in a club too op. Keep looking for a new job, there are loads around just now. I appreciate the hours probably work well for you but maybe you could could get a late shift in a supermarket or something. Maybe take a few weeks off sick in the interim and see your GP. Good luck!

@jobprobz

Really? Would this not be medical?

Students can't claim JSW

Just seen you're in college so it's a different situation. This won't be classed as medical.

I've worked in nightclubs, use finger signals and just mouth the words to people. I'm unsure why it's straining your voice. Do you speak with the breath from your head or your chest? You need to push it from below your mouth not above it.

Drink lots of honey and lemon.

@EightWheelGirl

I’d be more worried about my ears than throat. The db volume that most clubs operate at will be damaging public your ears within minutes. Only a little at a time but it’s irreversible.

Use noise filter earplugs for that

OP the advice on this thread is mad - if your working conditions are such that your voice is a whisper you need to get signed off sick and look for a new job.

If you’ve lost your voice for more than 3 weeks you’re advised to see a GP anyway.

You are not required to damage yourself to keep a job. Imagine if this was your vision. People wouldn’t be telling you to suck it up.

To get to speech and language therapist you’d need to see an ENT specialist first. NHS referral would take forever, and they may not refer you on anyway - because for the moment at least it’s fixable by changing your workplace.

Use noise filter earplugs for that

I do. I’ve got some ER20s (forget the brand) which are a fairly cheap alternative to spending £100 on custom ones. They were about £20-30 I think and have a tiny channel in them to allow higher greauencies through without muffling them like foam plugs.

But the young don’t generally seem to care. I didn’t until near 30yo.

My sons voice went funny this year.
The go referred him to ENT. The waiting time was 3 weeks. That confirmed no nodules, etc

Have you tried getting a dick note from GP? I think that would allow you to claim benefits