Why Do I Mumble More as I Get Older? & Other Age-Related Speech Changes
Have you been told that you’re mumbling more lately? Or maybe you have noticed it yourself. You are not alone. As people age, changes in speech can be expected.
Natural changes occur in the vocal cords and muscles used for speech as we grow older. The medical term for the aging voice is presbyphonia.
Some key changes as we age include:
- Thinning of the vocal cords
- Loss of muscle tone in the voice box (larynx)
- Reduced lung capacity, impacting breath control
- Drying of the vocal cords
- Decreased saliva production, making it more difficult to speak smoothly
These physical shifts can make the voice sound weaker, breathy, shaky, or hoarse. They also can contribute to slurred speech and mumbling.
Why do some people mumble as they get older
When dealing with speech problems for the elderly, like mumbling, it is important to determine the root cause.
What causes mumbling? There are several contributing physical, neurological, and mental factors:
- Weakened facial and oral muscles
- Hearing loss
- Dental changes such as missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease
- Cognitive Impairments
- Fatigue
- Mental health challenges such as anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Poor speech habits
- Extreme shyness
Regardless of the cause, speech therapy is an invaluable resource to assist with age-related speech issues.
How to improve mumbling
Mumbling can affect people of all ages. Thankfully, there are ways to improve your speech clarity - even later in life.
- Speaking Slower and Louder
- Slowing your speech and focusing on speaking with intention is a simple and effective strategy to improve clarity and reduce mumbling.
- Practicing Breathing Techniques
- Proper breath control can help maintain a steady, strong voice.
- Stay Hydrated
- Keeping your vocal cords lubricated helps keep speech smooth.
- Read Aloud
- Reading out loud is beneficial to improve pronunciation and strengthen the muscles involved in speech.
- Try the Open Mouth Approach
- Speaking with a larger opening in your mouth than usual can help to produce speech sounds and syllables with clarity.
- Prioritize your Posture
- Good posture while speaking allows for optimal breathing. Proper breath control is essential for speaking clearly.
- Practice
- Practice makes perfect. Take as many opportunities as possible to practice speaking clearly. This will also lead to more confidence in your ability to communicate with clarity.
- Speech Therapy
- Speech therapy is a highly effective treatment for a variety of speech-related issues, including mumbling.
How does speech therapy help mumbling
Speech therapy is one of the most effective treatments for mumbling and other speech difficulties. At Great Speech, our licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) have an abundance of training in providing virtual speech therapy. Our SLP’s can:
- Help to identify the root cause of your mumbling.
- Create a personalized treatment plan to fit your needs and goals.
- Teach voice exercises tailored to your needs (including but not limited to exercises in breathing and articulation as well as oral muscle strengthening).
- Meet with you regularly to answer questions and provide feedback.
- Be there for you every step of the way.
Virtual Speech Therapy
Virtual speech therapy is proven to be as effective as traditional in-person speech therapy while offering the same expert care from the comfort of your home.
There are many benefits of virtual speech therapy.
- Convenient
- Comfortable
- Improved access to top-tier services (you are not limited to just the speech therapists in your geographical area)
- No need to travel (this also results in cost savings)
- Easier for family members to be involved
- Flexible scheduling
Everyone deserves to communicate with ease and confidence. Schedule your free introductory call with Great Speech to take the first steps toward clearer, stronger communication.