Reframing Aging Voice and Presbyphonia: What Else Can We Do?

Abstract

Purpose: Presbyphonia is an age-related voice disorder that can reduce communication effectiveness and participation and overall hinder quality of life for older adults. This narrative review article conceptualizes presbyphonia as part of a spectrum of age-related voice changes and reviews benefits and limitations of current treatment options. Conclusions: Research demonstrates voice therapy for presbyphonia can be effective, but many older adults with symptoms of presbyphonia may not engage or persist in therapy for reasons ranging from limited awareness of voice disorder symptoms to difficulties accessing voice therapy. Furthermore, evidence-based strategies to prevent the development of presbyphonia are absent from the literature. This review introduces the possibility that voice use through leisure activities might serve as an adjunct or alternative to voice therapy for the aging voice. Research is needed, however, to determine which leisure activities, if any, can promote vocal function in older adulthood and the appropriate dosage of these activities. Finally, this clinical focus article proposes a conceptual model of future research and clinical practice aimed at addressing limitations in research and clinical practice, with the overall goal of reducing presbyphonia prevalence and the impact of presbyphonia on quality of life in older adults.