Weak or Hoarse Voice? How Aging Can Affect Your Voice & When To Get Help
Have you noticed that your voice doesn’t sound the way that it used to?
Maybe it has become softer, weaker, or more breathy. Perhaps friends often ask you to repeat yourself, or your voice tires quickly after you have talked for a while. Many adults assume that these changes are simply part of getting older, but that isn’t always the whole story.
While it’s true that the voice naturally changes with age, significant changes should never be ignored. In many cases, speech-language pathologists can help improve vocal strength, clarity, and endurance with speech therapy.
At Great Speech, our licensed speech-language pathologists provide convenient virtual speech therapy for adults and seniors who are experiencing age-related voice changes.
What Is Presbyphonia?
One of the most common causes of age-related voice changes is presbyphonia, which is sometimes also referred to as the aging voice. Presbyphonia refers to the changes in the voice that occur as the muscles and tissues of the vocal folds naturally age. Just as the muscles throughout the body lose strength over time, the muscles involved in producing your voice can also become thinner and weaker.
These changes may cause the vocal folds to no longer close completely during speech. As more air escapes during speaking, the voice may become softer, breathier, or less steady than it once was. Presbyphonia becomes increasingly common after age 60, but not everyone is affected the same amount.
What Does Presbyphonia Sound Like?
Many people don’t recognize the symptoms of presbyphonia right away because the changes often happen gradually over several years.
Some of the common signs include:
- A weak or soft voice
- A breathy or airy voice
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty with projecting your voice
- Vocal fatigue after talking
- Reduced vocal endurance
- A shaky or unsteady voice
- Needing to clear your voice frequently
- Trouble being heard when in noisy environments
These symptoms can affect everyday life more than many people realize. Conversations with family, phone calls, social gatherings, volunteering, or participating in events may all become more difficult. Some people notice that they avoid conversations because speaking becomes frustrating or exhausting. If you are noticing any of these symptoms in yourself or your loved one, schedule an evaluation with us. Speech therapy is not just for children. Check out How Speech Therapy Supports Emotional Well-Being in Seniors to read more.
What Causes Voice Changes As We Age?
There are several normal age-related changes that can contribute to a weaker voice. Let's break some of them down.
- Thinner Vocal Fold Muscles - Over time, the muscles within the vocal folds naturally lose some of their bulk and strength, which makes it harder for the folds to come together firmly during speech.
- Reduced Lung Support - To produce a healthy, strong voice, you need good breath support. Aging can reduce lung capacity and respiratory strength, which results in less airflow to power the voice.
- Less Flexible Vocal Fold Tissue - The tissue of the vocal folds gradually loses some elasticity as we age, which affects how well they vibrate.
- Dryness - Older adults are more likely to experience dry mouth or dry throat, which can be caused by certain medications or reduced production of saliva. Dry vocal folds may contribute to hoarseness and vocal discomfort.
When is Hoarseness Not Just Aging?
Although presbyphonia is common, not every hoarse or weak voice is caused by aging.
A persistent hoarse voice can also be associated with:
- Vocal fold nodules or polyps
- Vocal fold paralysis
- Acid reflux
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease
- Benign or cancerous growth on the vocal folds
- Side effects of certain medications
Due to the fact that there are several medical conditions that can affect the voice, it's always recommended to have changes in your voice evaluated.
How Can Speech Therapy Help?
Many people are surprised to learn that speech therapy is for people of all ages, not just children. Speech therapists are specially trained to assess and treat voice disorders for all stages of life, including age-related voice changes. Voice therapy focuses on improving how efficiently the person’s voice works, and depending on their needs, therapy may include:
- Exercises to strengthen the muscles used for speech
- Training for breath support
- Improving the projection of the voice
- Reducing strain when speaking
- Healthy voice habits and vocal hygiene
- Techniques to reduce vocal fatigue
- Strategies for clearer communication
Early Treatment is Important, and We’d Love To Help
Many adults just talk less when it’s hard to use their voice. Unfortunately, avoiding conversation can contribute to social isolation, reduced confidence, and less participation in activities that they once enjoyed.
The good news is that many age-related voice changes respond well to speech therapy, and seeking help early can allow them to regain their confidence, improve vocal strength, reduce vocal fatigue, and communicate more easily with their friends and family.
Speech therapy with Great Speech is easy, as it's completely online, meaning you can get help from virtually anywhere. Check out How Effective Is Virtual Speech Therapy? to read more about the many benefits that come with virtual speech therapy.
Whether you’ve noticed your voice becoming weaker over the past few years, have recently developed persistent hoarseness, or are having trouble with speech or language, we’re here to help. When you’re ready, book an Appointment with Great Speech. The first call is free, and our services are covered through many major insurance providers. Some of those include UHC, Cigna, Anthem, SCAN Health, and Scripps & Sharp. Check out our Insurance Page to learn more.