Everywhere you look there are products designed to make you look as young as possible, from wrinkle creams to hair dye to plastic surgery. But increasingly, people are taking an interesting in sounding young as well. A recent article in AARP discussed how many aging adults are seeking assistance in retaining the strong, commanding, dynamic voice of their youth.
As we age, all of the muscles of the body begin to atrophy or grow weaker. This includes the muscles of the vocal folds, which can result in presbylaryngis, or changes in vocal quality due to aging. Presbylaryngis is common in adults over sixty. Some of the common issues associated with presbylaryngis are:
- Decreased Volume: Projecting your voice is more difficult when the vocal folds are weaker, resulting in a weaker, thinner voice.
- Pitch Changes: As we age, men’s voices tend to become higher in pitch, while women’s voices become lower.
- Overall Decreased Vocal Quality: On the whole, the voice becomes less vibrant and dynamic. Vocal quality associated with presbylaryngis is often described as breathy, thin, or reedy. In addition, vocal tremors may become an issue.
Although presbylaryngis is a normal part of aging, many people want to retain the vocal quality of their youth for as long as possible. This is increasingly common in the professional world. Your voice plays a large role in the impression others have of you, so maintaining a dynamic, commanding voice can have wide-reaching implications in the workplace.
Luckily, studies have shown that voice therapy from a speech-language pathologist can effectively improve the effects of presbylaryngis. A speech-language pathologist can help improve breathing techniques to better support the voice and increase volume. They can also provide vocal exercises to strengthen muscles, reduce tension, and increase the closure of the vocal cords, all of which can improve overall vocal quality. Take a look at this recent article in the Wall Street Journal that shows just how speech therapy can change the way you sound!
Do your professional communication skills need improvement? Let us help you make your speech and communication your most powerful professional tool! For information on the New York Based Speech and Accent Reduction services offered by Corporate Speech Solutions please give us a call at 212-308-7725 or visit us on the web at www.corporatespeechsolutions.com. Not in NYC? No problem! We also provide Skype and video conferencing services.
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