Laryngoscopic and Vocal Characteristics of Aged Persons

Abstract

Laryngoscopic and vocal changes in aged persons were examined in 20 males and 20 females whose ages ranged from 69 to 85 years, with the mean of 75 years. From their recorded voices, assessment of voice quality, measurements of both the fundamental frequency, and the pitch perturbation were carried out.
The characteristic findings obtained were as follows: (a) the aged males tended to show a marked vocal cord atrophy and/or edema with a higher fundamental frequency of voice (mean of 162Hz) than that in adult males, (b) the aged females tended to have a vocal cord edema and slight hoarseness with a relatively lower fundamental frequency (mean of 165Hz) than that of adult females.
Vocal changes in senescence are characterized by slight hoarseness or a noticeable change in fundamental frequency of voice.
The change of vocal cords in terms of mass, such as atrophy or edema is considered to be the most responsible factor in the above vocal changes during senescence.