Presbyophonia refers to age-associated change in the voice (presby = old age). It may evolve over the years as the person becomes older.
Features of presbyphonia:
(1) vocal fatigue
(2) decreased vocal intensity
(3) hoarseness
(4) difficulty in voice projection and/or singing
(5) cough
(6) change in airway secretions
(7) "jitter" (tremor)
Factors that may affect the severity of presbyphonia:
(1) drugs
(2) changes in hearing and personal feedback
(3) procedure to the neck or larynx
(4) hydration
(5) frailty
(6) hyper or hypothyroidism
(7) autoimmune disease
(8) neurological disease
People most affected:
(1) singers
(2) speaking professions (including teachers)
