By: Victoria Pavelko, MS CCC SLP
So many of our clients will say, “I know I’m getting older, but WHY does my VOICE sound different?” The “aging voice”, also known as presbyphonia, is a common diagnosis treated by speech pathologists working with adult patients. Patients often arrive frustrated that their voice ‘no longer sounds the same’ as it did when they were younger, working, and using their vocal tract on a more consistent basis.
So, how does a speech pathologist assess and address an aging voice disorder? Below are the frequent questions asked and the reason why we ask:
How much water do you consume in a day? The first signs of dehydration are often seen in the larynx. The goal is to consume ½ of one’s body weight in ounces of water a day.
How much caffeine/alcohol do you consume in a day? Caffeine and alcohol can be very dehydrating. For each cup of either, an additional cup of water should be consumed.
Do you suffer from postnasal drip/seasonal allergies? The goal is to decrease vocal fold irritation; postnasal drip should be addressed. Commonly, SLPs will recommend nasal saline spray.
Do you suffer from GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease)? Reflux, or stomach acid, can be known to rise into the esophagus. If not addressed, this acid can irritate the protective mucosa of the vocal folds.
Do you find yourself clearing your throat often? When one clears their throat, the vocal folds shear causing microscopic tears in the lining. This can result in damage and a hoarse voice.
Have you undergone menopause? A change in hormone can affect the thickness of your vocal folds resulting in a higher or lower pitch voice.
Have you recently cut back on your professional work schedule? Decreased talking often results in thinning vocal folds which can affect the loudness and intensity of the voice.
Have you been diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease? Diseases such as Parkinson’s can affect the overall mechanics – how your vocal folds come together and release while we are breathing.
If you have observed a change in your overall vocal intensity, loudness, rate of speech, or pitch range contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our speech pathologists who will provide a thorough evaluation and treatment plan to help you achieve the most functional voice possible.