What Causes Voice Change In Adults? 5 Factors Behind It

As we get older, our voices often change. They might sound scratchy, weak, or crackly more than before.

These changes are normal and happen to many people for different reasons.

This blog is about what causes voice change in adults, how it affects us, and why it is important.

Key Takeaways

– Body Aging: Like other muscles, vocal cords become less flexible and weaker as we age.

– Hormones: Changes in hormones, especially during menopause, can affect your voice.

– Health: Conditions like heartburn, allergies, and colds can make your voice hoarse, sore, or scratchy. Treatment can help.

– Habits: Smoking, drinking too much, and yelling can damage your vocal cords. Stay hydrated, rest your voice, and avoid these things.

– Job: Using your voice often for work or working around dust or noise can affect your voice.

– Stress: Feeling stressed or anxious can make your voice tight or shaky. Talk therapy, relaxation techniques, and medication can help.

What Causes Voice Change In Adults: 5 Factors

Have you ever noticed how your voice seems slightly different as you age? You’re not imagining things.

It’s a natural part of life. The following factors contribute to voice change as we age.

1. Biological Factors

Our bodies are complex systems. Sometimes, changes happen because of getting older.

Here are a few biological factors that can play a role in adult voice changes:

A. Process Of Aging

Good old aging can have an impact on our voices. With aging, vocal cords undergo some changes.

They may become less flexible and lose some muscle tone. Hormonal changes that come with aging can also affect our voices.

Vocal cords are going through their version of the aging process.

B. Changes In Muscle Tone And Elasticity

Over time, vocal cords lose some elasticity and flexibility, making the voice sound hoarse or strained.

Muscle tone decreases with age, affecting how our voices sound.

C. Impact Of Hormonal Changes

Your body’s hormones are like chemical messengers. They control many things, including how your voice sounds.

These hormone levels change throughout life, especially during big events like menopause.

These changes can affect the vocal box of your throat that makes sound. This causes your voice to sound different.

2. Health Conditions – What Causes Voice Change In Adults

There are different reasons why our voices change. Health conditions are also one of them.

Let’s talk about how things going on inside can mess with vocal cords.

A. Acid Reflux

Acid reflux could be affecting your voice if you notice:

– Hoarseness or a rough voice.

– A lump-like feeling in your throat or persistent coughing.

– Trouble swallowing and Sore throat.

Here are some tips to alleviate symptoms:

– Avoid spicy, greasy, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.

– Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones.

– Don’t eat right before bed, and avoid lying down after meals.

B. Allergy Adventure

Allergies can cause swelling and irritation in your airways and voice box.

This swelling can make your voice sound rough, weak, or strained.

Allergies can affect your voice in several ways:

– Squeaky or deep voice: Allergies can change your voice pitch.

– Whispery voice: Speaking up becomes difficult when allergies weaken your voice.

Manage your allergies by avoiding triggers, taking allergy medications, or considering allergy shots.

If your voice issues continue, see a doctor or speech therapist.

C. Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections can disrupt your voice.

Catching a cold or the flu affects your breathing and can change how your voice sounds.

During an infection, your body fights off germs, which can make your throat and vocal cords sore.

This can cause your voice to become hoarse or raspy.

Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated. Soothe your throat with warm tea and honey. Avoid yelling and give your voice a break.

3. Lifestyle Factors

Our voices can get different for a few reasons as we grow up. Let’s talk about the lifestyle factors that can cause your voice to change as an adult.

A. Smoking

Smoking harms more than just your lungs; it also affects your voice. The chemicals in cigarettes irritate and swell your vocal cords.

It changes how you sound.

In the long term, smoking causes lasting damage to your voice, leading to a rough, scratchy tone. It can even cause vocal nodules or polyps.

B. Effects Of Alcohol And Drug Abuse On Your Voice

Alcohol and drugs can harm your voice. They dry out your throat, making it scratchy and altering your sound.

Additionally, they can cause swelling, which makes it harder for your voice box to function properly.

Over time, this can damage the vocal cords, making speaking difficult.

C. Vocal Strain

A vocal strain happens when you overuse your voice, and it becomes tired.

Too much use can exhaust your vocal muscles, making your voice sound hoarse or rough.

4. Occupational Factors – What Causes Voice Change In Adults

Talk a lot for work? It could hurt your voice.

Some jobs, like teaching, call center work, and law, need a lot of speaking. Over time, this can strain your vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or a lower pitch.

Polluted air, like car exhaust and factory fumes, can also affect your voice.

Breathing in these pollutants can irritate your throat, making your voice rough or scratchy.

Tips For Protecting Your Voice

– Use a microphone in noisy environments.

– Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry air.

– Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

– Wear a mask in polluted areas to protect your throat.

5. Psychological Disorders

Our voice is more than just for talking! It’s connected to how we feel and how our minds work.

If we’re not feeling well mentally, our voice can sometimes show it, too.

A. Impact Of Psychological Disorders

Stress and anxiety can alter your voice.

– Tense Muscles: Anxiety can tighten vocal cords, making the voice sound different.

– Tired Voice: Prolonged stress can exhaust vocal cords, causing a hoarse or weak voice.

– Stuttering Speech: Emotional stress can disrupt speech flow, making communication difficult.

Physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, tight muscles, and irregular breathing can make your voice sound tight, wobbly, or cracked.

B. Treatment Options

To address voice issues caused by emotional problems:

– Talk Therapy: Helps manage stress and improve communication skills.

– Relaxation Techniques: Meditation and muscle relaxation can enhance vocal performance.

– Medication: Prescribed drugs can reduce underlying stress affecting the voice.

Conclusion

Aging naturally changes our voices due to factors like health, habits, and stress.

Understanding these changes helps us better care for our voices.

Regular doctor visits, healthy habits, and stress management can improve communication and well-being.

Resources For Further Study On What Causes Voice Change In Adults

– “The Aging Voice” by Peter B. Mueller, School of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.

– “Voice Changes in Elderly Adults” by Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

– “Voice Disorders in the Elderly” Karen M. Kost Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada.