Why does voice change with age

In some people, changes from aging cause the vocal fold muscles to weaken or lose muscle mass atrophy. This can keep the vocal folds from closing all the way, making it harder to speak. This increased effort to talk causes the voice to tire more quickly. These vocal aging changes may even contribute to swallowing problems if the vocal fold gap grows large enough.

This type of vocal change is usually diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat doctor ENT and a speech-language pathologist SLP who specializes in voice disorders. Once the vocal folds have been visualized and the diagnosis made, the primary way to restore the voice is to work with the voice SLP for specific vocal exercises designed to strengthen and rebalance the vocal folds and the surrounding musculature and other systems that work together for voice production.

If the vocal atrophy is bad enough, you may be recommended to see the ENT for a procedure that uses fillers to plump up the vocal folds to help them close. You may need to see the SLP following the procedure for exercises to rebalance your throat muscles. Maintain Your Overall Health. Practice Good Vocal Hygiene. Use It or Lose It. Voice Therapy. Share: Facebook Twitter. Ready for an appointment? Providers Featured in this Article.

Featured Doctors Images. Related Providers. November 21, By Erin Hull. Think You Have the Flu? Try Virtual Urgent Care. After several decades of relatively stable voice, noticeable change can occur in the later years of life. As our bodies age, we lose muscle mass, our mucous membranes thin and become more dry, and we lose some of the fine coordination that we had in younger years.

It is no surprise that these changes occur in the larynx as well, and this leads to changes in our voice. Your doctor may call these changes vocal cord atrophy or bowing, presbyphonia, or presbylaryngis. These symptoms are amplified by the reduced hearing ability that commonly occurs in our peers as we age. NOTE: Much of the time, hoarseness and vocal difficulties are not simply age related change. Any change that you notice in your voice should be a warning sign that something may be wrong.

See your otolaryngologist ear, nose, throat doctor.