{"id":8190,"date":"2025-09-03T12:51:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T16:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.silvercentury.org\/?p=8190"},"modified":"2025-09-03T12:51:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T16:51:40","slug":"aging-voices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/78.142.243.82\/~silvercentury\/2025\/09\/aging-voices\/","title":{"rendered":"Aging Voices"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the past 14 years, Darrell Rodenbaugh has played the lead in <\/span>Scrooge \u2013 The Musical<\/span><\/i>, an annual production by North Texas Performing Arts in Plano. The role is a marathon for 62-year-old Rodenbaugh: the company performs more than a dozen shows on consecutive nights, plus matinees on the weekends, with Rodenbaugh on stage, singing, dancing and speaking, for nearly the entire two-and-a-half-hour show.<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n

All of which he managed to handle until about five years ago, when his voice began to falter. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was getting a little more raspy,\u201d he said. \u201cI was struggling to enunciate and hit some of the higher notes.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Rodenbaugh was noticing presbyphonia, or “aging voice,” changes in vocal quality that occur with aging. As people reach older adulthood, their voices tend to become breathy, weak or hoarse. They may lose the ability to project, and the voice may tire more easily. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rodenbaugh relies on his voice professionally, but voice problems can affect any older adult\u2014and they are common. Research suggests that 19-29 percent of adults 64 and older experience a voice disorder at any given time, and for many, it impairs daily function and satisfaction with life. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most common complaints I hear are, \u2018People can\u2019t hear me\u2019 or \u2018I have to repeat myself all the time,\u2019\u201d said Karen Goins, a speech pathologist who works with older adults in Dallas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Often folks have no idea that there are voice doctors and things we can do that are specifically geared to helping older patients.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014Lesley Childs, MD<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When voice issues make it harder to communicate and to socialize, that can lead to isolation and, in turn, depression and cognitive decline, according to Angela Van Sickle, PhD, a speech pathologist at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf friends or family can\u2019t hear them, or can\u2019t understand them, it\u2019s frustrating, and it\u2019s more work to communicate,\u201d she said. \u201cSome people start to feel like it\u2019s too much work. They start to kind of close in and become more and more isolated.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, older adults who remain in the workforce may feel that voice issues hamper their professional productivity. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, while age-related changes may be inevitable, experts say older adults have options for keeping their voices strong, ranging from voice therapy and good health habits to medical interventions like injections and surgery. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOften, folks have no idea that there are voice doctors and things we can do that are specifically geared to helping older patients,\u201d said Lesley Childs, MD, medical director at the Clinical Center for Voice Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.  <\/span><\/p>\n

How Voices Change<\/b><\/p>\n

The voice functions like a musical instrument. Sound emanates from the vocal folds, or vocal cords, housed in the larynx. Air pumped up from the lungs causes the folds to vibrate, creating sound that resonates in the open spaces inside the mouth, behind the nose and the back of the throat. <\/span><\/p>\n

Like the rest of the body, the larynx, vocal cords and lungs change with age. The larynx can become stiff. The vocal folds can atrophy, losing muscle tone, elasticity and moisture. The lungs, which act like a respiratory bellows to power the voice, lose capacity. With these changes, the voice starts to sound raspy, weak or breathy. That\u2019s why it is often easy to tell that you\u2019re talking to an older person on the telephone, just by the sound of their voice. <\/span><\/p>\n

Men\u2019s and women\u2019s voices tend to age differently, said Childs, who is also associate professor of laryngology, neurolaryngology and professional voice at UT Southwestern. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn men, the vocal folds become thin and slightly bowed, causing the voice to sound more breathy and weaker,\u201d she said. \u201cIn females, the vocal folds become more dense, causing the voice to deepen.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Hormonal changes\u2014lowered estrogen levels in women, falling androgen levels in men \u2014seem to contribute.<\/span><\/p>\n

Older people may develop a tremor, making the voice shaky. Neurogenic conditions such as Parkinson\u2019s can impair the vocal cords or cause tremors. A stroke may trigger vocal cord paralysis or affect the part of the brain that controls speech. (Speech, the ability to articulate words, is differentiated from the voice, which produces the sound generated in the vocal cords.) Older adults also take more medications and have more health conditions, both of which can affect voices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Age-related voice problems occur at the same time many older adults experience hearing loss, making two-way communication even more difficult. Hearing loss can also contribute to voice issues. A person with impaired hearing may have difficulty calibrating their volume\u2014either causing them to speak too loudly or too softly, depending on how they perceive their own voice. <\/span><\/p>\n

How Voice Therapy Works<\/b><\/p>\n

For those with vocal disorders, the first line of treatment is voice therapy with a speech language pathologist. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe exercises aim to restore vocal strength by rebuilding muscle tone,\u201d said Van Sickle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as the abs and glutes need regular exercise to stay strong, so do the muscles in the voice. Voice therapy helps patients learn proper breathing techniques and find ways to optimize volume and reduce strain. Van Sickle often prescribes a series of exercises developed by voice-therapy pioneer Joseph Stemple, with separate regimens for male and female voices. Similar to vocal warm-ups that singers and actors follow, these involve holding a single note or pitch glides\u2014starting low and sliding to a higher note, and vice versa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specialized voice-therapy programs are also available for people with Parkinson\u2019s and other age-related voice issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPatients with Parkinson\u2019s may feel like they\u2019re yelling, because they have to put in extra effort to speak, but they\u2019re actually talking too softly,\u201d Van Sickle said. \u201cThese programs help people to recalibrate the volume of their voices.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Other Interventions<\/b><\/p>\n

Even at the age of 88, Jan Steele says her voice hasn\u2019t changed much. She credits her 42 years as a member of the Rich-Tones, an 80-person women\u2019s barbershop chorus in Dallas. The group rehearses for three hours each week and performs in concerts and international competitions, three of which they\u2019ve won. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very disciplined about my vocal exercise,\u201d Steele said. \u201cI sing in the shower and around the house. I practice scales and repertoire, and of course go to weekly rehearsals. I think a mature voice needs to sing every day. If you don\u2019t use it, you lose it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Experts agree: singing can be a form of natural voice therapy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe folks that we see that are doing really well are generally using their voice a fair amount, without overusing it,\u201d said Childs. \u201cSinging is good for expansion of the breath support. We actually recommend singing to a lot of our patients.\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are other steps experts recommend for vocal health and longevity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay hydrated.<\/b> Drink plenty of water, especially when exercising. Childs likes caffeine-free teas, served warm, not hot. She advises patients to avoid alcohol and caffeine, or to balance intake of either with additional water. <\/span><\/p>\n

Practice \u201cexternal hydration.\u201d<\/b> A home humidifier, especially in winter or dry climates, can be helpful. (Thirty percent humidity is recommended.) For professionals who use their voices, Childs also recommends a portable saline nebulizer designed specifically for voice support, such as Vocal Mist, to add moisture to the throat. <\/span><\/p>\n

Address bad habits. <\/b>A persistent cough can lead to vocal problems. Some people develop a habit of frequently clearing their throats, for example, which irritates the vocal folds. Van Sickle helps patients in that situation learn to swallow or take other steps when the urge to clear their throat crops up. <\/span><\/p>\n

Manage allergies and allergy medicine.<\/b> Allergies can cause inflammation in the larynx, leading to hoarseness. Antihistamines may dry out the nasal and breathing passages. For people with congestion or post-nasal drip, Childs prefers guaifenesin (Mucinex is a popular brand), an expectorant that helps loosen and clear mucus from the airways. Avoid pseudoephedrine (D) or dextromethorphan (DM) formulations, which can cause dryness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use assistive devices.<\/b> Van Sickle never teaches class for more than an hour or two, even in a small classroom, without a microphone. Personal amplification devices can be used in situations where a public address system is not available. <\/span><\/p>\n

Exercise regularly.<\/b> Exercise increases stamina and muscle tone, as well as improves posture and breathing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Practice good breathing techniques<\/b>. Support the voice with deep breaths from the chest. <\/span><\/p>\n

Socialize in quiet places.<\/b> Trying to talk over a noisy room can cause frustration and strain the voice. Childs encourages patients to consider acoustics when making plans. \u201cIf they go out to dinner at a restaurant, for example, I advise them to choose a quiet restaurant, or a booth in the corner, next to a wall, where it\u2019s likely to be easier to hear and be heard,\u201d she said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maintain good posture.<\/b> Goins works with patients\u2019 posture, because good posture can facilitate better breath support, which helps in speaking. Van Sickle also encourages patients to always face the person they\u2019re speaking with. \u201cThere are so many important cues that we get from a speaker\u2019s facial expressions,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rest the voice<\/b>. While exercising is helpful, resting is important, too, especially for anyone who uses their voice extensively. Avoid vocal extremes, such as screaming or whispering. Childs notes that vocal strain is dose related. The longer a person speaks, and the louder, the more likely they are to strain the voice. It\u2019s important to take breaks before and after any challenging speaking situations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Medical Interventions <\/b><\/p>\n

Most age-related voice issues are not serious and respond well to therapy. But for persistent symptoms, it\u2019s a good idea to see an otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for a medical evaluation to rule out other medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or cancer of the larynx.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, a medical workup for voice issues begins with an examination of the larynx and the vocal folds. This may involve a videostroboscopy, which Childs calls the \u201cgold standard\u201d for a thorough workup. A scope, inserted through the mouth or nose, uses strobe lights to examine vocal tissue.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

For those struggling with atrophy (thinning), Childs may inject fillers to \u201cfatten up\u201d the vocal cords. For a more permanent solution, she can surgically place implants (usually made of Gore-Tex) into the vocal cords to bulk them up. Botox injections may help calm vocal tremors by relaxing overactive muscles. If GERD is diagnosed, dietary changes or medications are recommended to help reduce flare-ups and minimize irritation in the throat. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hopeful more people will realize that there are some options for them,\u201d Childs said, adding that most large cities in the United States with major academic medical centers offer voice centers\u2014multidisciplinary teams of fellowship-trained otolaryngologists, speech pathologists and other specialists focused on voice therapies. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Scrooge\u2019s Redemption <\/b><\/p>\n

When his voice issues arose, Rodenbaugh began working with a vocal coach who prescribed voice and breathing exercises. He started exercising with a trainer, adding cardio to boost his breath support. To help prevent sinus infections and inflammation, he irrigates his nasal passages regularly with saline. When he\u2019s performing, he hydrates constantly before, during and after each show. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, Rodenbaugh says, his voice is as strong as ever\u2014he\u2019s even hitting a few high notes he couldn\u2019t hit before. This fall, he\u2019ll return as Scrooge in NTPA\u2019s 15th season, marking the troupe\u2019s record-setting 125th performance of <\/span>Scrooge: The Musical<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt this age, singing is not about pushing harder, it\u2019s about being smarter,\u201d he said. \u201cCaring for your voice really means caring for yourself and your whole body.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For the past 14 years, Darrell Rodenbaugh has played the lead in Scrooge \u2013 The Musical, an annual production by North Texas Performing Arts in Plano. The role is a marathon for 62-year-old Rodenbaugh: the company performs more than a…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Aging Voices<\/span> ›<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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