Recent Blog Articles
Thinking about COVID booster shots? Here’s what to know
Cancer survivors' sleep is affected long after treatment
Do I have to yell so much?
What to do when elective surgery is postponed
What happened to trusting medical experts?
Stuttering in children: How parents can help
Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Evoking calm: Practicing mindfulness in daily life helps
Finding balance: 3 simple exercises to steady your steps
Boosting your child’s immune system
Staying Healthy
Aging voice
Q. As I get older, my voice sounds raspier. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to reverse these changes?
A. Men's voices deepen in the teenage years, but a different kind of change can happen later in life. Doctors call that change presbyphonia, meaning "aging voice." Over time, the vocal cords become drier and have less ability to vibrate at high speeds, which provides the tone in your voice. In addition, air movement from the lungs may diminish because of changes in lung capacity or the shape of the spine. Both of these factors cause the older voice to have a breathier and weaker sound.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
