Expert Treatment for the Aging Voice
As people get older, the larynx (voice box), vocal folds (cords),
and voice-producing mechanism age along with the rest of the body. Age-related
voice changes develop as muscle and other tissues in the larynx and vocal cords
shrink, thin, and stiffen.
Our multidisciplinary team in the Voice Center includes fellowship-trained
laryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors with specialized training in disorders
of the larynx), speech-language pathologists with training specifically in
voice care, and singing-voice specialists. We evaluate symptoms of the aging
voice using the latest technology and provide advanced treatment to minimize
the effects of aging on the voice.
Causes of Aging Voice
Age-related voice changes vary widely, and people can begin
to “sound old” in their 50s, while others retain a resonant voice well into
their 80s. The normal aging process can affect the larynx and vocal cords in
several ways:
- Atrophy (shrinkage) of muscle
- Thinning of mucous membranes
- Stiffening of connective tissues
Symptoms of Aging Voice
An aging voice shows signs that often include:
- Higher pitch in men
- Lower pitch in women
- Loss of projection and
resonance
- Reduced volume and
endurance
- Voice tremors (shakiness)
- Weak or breathy voice
Diagnosing Aging Voice
At UT Southwestern’s Voice Center, our experienced voice specialists
conduct a thorough evaluation, which includes a:
- Physical exam, with an
inspection of the larynx
- Review of personal and
family medical history
- Discussion of symptoms
To examine the vocal cords and larynx, we often use one or
more instruments, such as a:
- Flexible laryngoscope: A narrow, flexible
tube with a light and camera, inserted through the nose
- Rigid laryngoscope: A narrow, rigid
viewing tube inserted through the mouth
- Videostroboscope: A camera with a
flashing light that provides a slow-motion view of the vocal cords as they
vibrate
We sometimes order additional tests, such as:
- Laryngeal electromyography (EMG): Small
needles inserted through the skin into voice box muscles to measure their electric
currents
- Sound (acoustic) analysis: Computer
analysis that identifies abnormalities in the sounds produced by the vocal
cords
Treatments for Aging Voice
After our evaluation, we develop a treatment plan to help
strengthen the speaking voice. At the Voice Center, our team offers:
- Botulinum toxin (Botox)
injections to reduce vocal tremor
- In-office temporary filler
injections to enlarge vocal cords that have lost muscle tone
- Permanent fat injections
that use fat from the abdomen to enlarge vocal cords
- Thyroplasty, a surgical
procedure to place implants into the vocal cords for a stronger voice
- Voice therapy with
exercises prescribed by our speech-language pathology team to reduce
throat strain, improve vocal stamina, and find the optimal pitch and
volume