How Aging Affects Your Voice and How to Keep It Strong

Your voice is a unique part of your identity, but as you age, you might notice it doesn’t sound quite the same. This change, known as presbyphonia, often begins around age 60 and can cause your voice to become hoarse, shaky, or weaker. While age-related voice changes are common, they’re not always inevitable and there are steps you can take to maintain a clear, strong voice.

Why Does Your Voice Change as You Age?

There are several reasons why your voice might shift as you get older, ranging from natural aging processes to underlying health conditions.

1. Vocal Cord Weakness and Dryness

As you age, your body gradually loses muscle mass and tone, and your vocal cords (also called vocal folds) are no exception. These two bands of muscle in your voice box vibrate to create sound, but with age, they can become weaker and less flexible, according to Sarah Awde, a speech-language pathologist.

• The mucus coating on your vocal cords may also diminish, leading to dryness and difficulty vibrating smoothly.

• These changes can make your voice sound thinner, higher, or less powerful, a hallmark of presbyphonia.

2. Hormonal Changes

Hormone fluctuations, particularly during menopause, can impact your voice.

• Estrogen declines can make women's voices deeper, with nearly 50% of postmenopausal women experiencing vocal changes, per an August 2017 study in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine.

• Men may notice their voices becoming higher and breathier as testosterone levels naturally drop with age.

3. Health Conditions and Medications

Certain neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease (PD), can alter your voice.

• People with PD often have a flat or robotic voice due to brain feedback issues, causing them to think they’re speaking louder than they are.

• Other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, GERD, or vocal cord lesions (like polyps or cancerous growths), can also affect vocal quality.

How to Maintain a Healthy Voice as You Age

If you’ve noticed changes in your voice, there are ways to support vocal health and potentially restore some of your voice’s strength and clarity.

1. Practice Good Vocal Hygiene

Keeping your vocal cords healthy starts with daily habits:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep the vocal cords moist and flexible.

• Use a Humidifier: This can moisturize the air, especially in dry environments.

• Avoid Vocal Strain: Limit yelling, shouting, and prolonged loud speaking.

• Skip Abusive Habits: Constant throat clearing or coughing can irritate the vocal cords.

2. Try Voice Therapy

A speech pathologist can guide you through exercises that enhance vocal strength, quality, and endurance.

• PhoRTE Therapy (Phonation Resistance Training Exercises) is designed specifically for aging voices and can improve vocal tone and volume.

3. Consider Vocal Cord Augmentation

For more severe voice changes, your doctor might suggest a vocal cord augmentation procedure.

• Filler injections help the vocal cords close more effectively, resulting in a stronger sound.

• The procedure is typically in-office and requires only local anesthesia, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

When to See a Doctor About Voice Changes

While gradual voice changes are often a normal part of aging, a sudden shift in your voice could signal a more serious health issue.

• Red Flags: If your voice becomes hoarse quickly, or if you notice pain, difficulty swallowing, or breathing issues, it’s important to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

The Bottom Line

Your voice might naturally change as you age, but staying hydrated, avoiding vocal strain, and seeking professional help when needed can make a big difference. If voice changes are sudden or severe, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider.

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