Dos
- Do stay well hydrated, as this keeps the vocal cords lubricated
- Do warm up your voice before long periods of talking
- Do see a specialist if a voice change persists beyond a few weeks
Ageing Voice (Presbyphonia)
Consultant-led diagnosis and treatment for presbyphonia, the natural weakening and thinning of the vocal cords that comes with age.
What is the condition?
Presbyphonia is the age-related change in the voice caused by thinning and bowing of the vocal cords as the muscle and tissue lose bulk and elasticity over time. It typically develops gradually from the 60s onwards, though the rate varies significantly between individuals, and is a normal part of ageing rather than a disease.
Symptoms
What to look out for?
The voice becomes weaker, breathier and more easily tired, particularly with prolonged talking. Pitch may rise slightly, volume can be harder to project, and some people notice a tremor or reduced vocal stamina by the end of the day.
- A breathy or weak voice quality
- Reduced projection and volume
- Vocal fatigue after talking for a short time
- A higher-pitched or unsteady voice
Treatment
What can be done?
Mild cases are often managed with voice therapy to strengthen the muscles that close the vocal cords. Where the gap between the cords (bowing) is more significant, injection augmentation or a voice lift can restore bulk to the cords and improve closure.
- Speech and language therapy exercises
- Vocal cord injection augmentation
- Voice lift (medialisation) surgery
Prevention
What should I do?
Don'ts
- Don't strain or shout to compensate for a weaker voice
- Don't assume every voice change with age is untreatable — many respond well to therapy