Finding Your Voice Again: Understanding Aging Vocal Folds

Ah, the voice – that marvelous, built-in personal instrument we use every day to chat with friends, sing in the shower, or yell at the TV when our team makes a questionable play. But like any finely tuned instrument, our vocal folds (or vocal cords, if you’re feeling old school) can change with age. Thankfully, just because our voices mature doesn’t mean we have to sound like a creaky door forever! In this post, we’ll explore the aging process from a voice specialized speech-language pathologist’s (SLP) perspective, and find out what you can do to keep those golden pipes in good shape.

What Happens to Vocal Folds as We Age?

As we mature (age), the delicate vocal folds in our larynx can thin, dry out, and lose some of their natural elasticity. Think of it like the difference between a brand-new rubber band and one you found in the back of your junk drawer – it still works, but it might snap if you push it too hard! Additionally, the muscles around the vocal folds can weaken, and the protective mucus that keeps them moist can become as scarce as Wi-Fi on a road trip through the mountains. This can lead to a weaker, breathier voice, reduced volume, and that classic “I just woke up” rasp.

For an SLP, it’s not just about the physical changes – it’s about function. "Matured" vocal folds can have a harder time coming together completely, resulting in a voice that sounds thin or shaky. This is especially common in people who haven’t used their voice much over the years, such as retired individuals who very much enjoy their quieter life style. People who have dealt with health issues like acid reflux, allergies, or smoking can also find difficulty using their voice like they used to. In short, it’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation!

What Can You Do About It?

Stay Hydrated – Water is your vocal cords’ best friend. Staying well-hydrated keeps that protective mucus flowing and helps your vocal folds vibrate smoothly.

Warm Up Your Voice – Just like stretching before a run, your voice needs a little warm-up too. Simple humming, lip trills, or tongue trills sounds can work wonders.

See a Voice Specialist – If you notice persistent changes in your voice, it’s worth checking in with an otolaryngologist/Head-Neck-Surgeon/Ear-Nose-Throat doctor to rule out any medical issues, and then teaming up with a voice-specialized SLP. They can help you build strength, improve vocal quality, and find your vocal sweet spot again.

Avoid Overuse and Abuse – Try not to scream at sporting events (we know, easier said than done), and be mindful of straining your voice in noisy environments. Use a headphone when talking on the phone and during using video meetings.

Exercise Your Whole Body – A strong, flexible body supports a strong, flexible voice. Good posture, deep breathing, and core strength all play a role in healthy voice production.

The Bottom Line

Aging is inevitable, but sounding old doesn’t have to be. With a little care, some professional guidance, and maybe a bit of good old-fashioned vocal TLC, you can keep your voice strong and vibrant for years to come. After all, you’ve got a lot to say – and the world deserves to hear it!

Ready to get started? Reach out to a voice-specialized SLP today, and give those vocal folds the tune-up they deserve!

Have a funny story about losing your voice at the worst possible moment? Or maybe a question about vocal health? Share it in the comments below – we’d love to hear your voice (even if it’s a bit raspy).

We have a great post on how to care for your voice here.

We provide virtual speech therapy visits/telehealth visits in California, and in home services in Montrose, La Crescenta, La Canada, and Pasadena, CA areas.

If you are curious about gender affirming voice training, check out our other blog on the subject.

We wish you only better voice days ahead! The Chat Room Therapy - Where Voice is Found.

Learn more about speech-language-voice-cognitive-swallow therapy or what we do as speech language pathologists, and our in home and virtual private speech therapy settings:

call/text us at 818.823.8022 or email us at hello@thechatroomtherapy.com.

We also provide speech therapy in Mandarin Chinese. 中文/國語語言治療

Vicki Chia Hui Lin, M.S., CCC-SLP

Founder, The Chat Room Therapy

Vicki is a California licensed and American Speech Language and Hearing Association certified speech language pathologist. She is a highly accomplished and award-winning Speech-Language Pathologist with extensive experience with both adults and children, with particular specialties in gender affirming voice therapy, adult voice disorders, post stroke or head and neck cancer related voice, communication, cognitive, and swallow difficulties.  Vicki has received various accolades, and is recognized for her excellence in patient care, life participation therapy approaches, and leadership in the field.

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