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The Aging Voice

  • Geriatric Otolaryngology (K Kost, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Age-related dysphonia in the elderly is more common than appreciated because it is an under-reported symptom. Perceptually, the presbyphonic voice is characterized negatively as sounding weak, breathy, tremulous, and unstable. The frequent association with hearing impairment in this group may lead to social isolation and depression, with a significant impact on quality of life. Although several anatomical and physiological alterations are known to contribute to presbyphonia, singing prevents, in large part, many of the perceptual changes. Vocal exercises, with vocal fold augmentation or thyroplasty when indicated, provide significant improvement.

Recent Findings

Many older individuals with recognized clinical signs of presbylarynx, such as vocal atrophy, report a normal voice. This suggests that the mere presence of presbylarynx does not necessarily result in presbyphonia.

Summary

Recognition of presbyphonia is important because of its significant impact on quality of life. Appropriate diagnosis is essential in order to provide effective therapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada

    Karen M. Kost

  2. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Robert T. Sataloff

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  1. Karen M. Kost
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Correspondence to Karen M. Kost.

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Conflict of Interest

Karen M. Kost is a consultant for Merck and Pentax and has received honoraria from both companies.

Robert T. Sataloff reports the following: Plural Publishing, Inc.: Book Royalties/Consultant; Integra LifeSciences Corporation: Instrument Royalties; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.: Book Royalties; and Grace Medical: Prosthesis Royalties.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Modified in part from: Sataloff, R.T. Johns, M.M., Kost, K.M., Geriatric Otolaryngology New York, New York: Thieme Publishing, Inc. 2015; with permission

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geriatric Otolaryngology

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Kost, K.M., Sataloff, R.T. The Aging Voice. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 8, 321–328 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-020-00285-8

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