Your voice reflects who you are
Your voice is the most natural way to talk with the people you love, do your work, sing and take part in everyday life. A strong, clear and resonant voice lets you express yourself with ease and stay confidently connected to the world around you.
The good news: like the other muscles in your body, the vocal folds grow stronger the more they work. With the right assessment and exercises tailored to you, the strength of your voice can be maintained at every stage of life.
How does the voice change over the years?
The vocal folds are small, delicate muscles that vibrate as you breathe out. If these muscles are used less over the years, they can become thinner, and their edges may no longer meet fully when you speak, call out or sing. Breath support and everyday speaking habits also shape the strength of your voice; for example, speaking less after retirement can leave the voice “out of training”.
The strength of your voice does not come from the vocal folds alone. The sound produced by the vocal folds is enriched as it resonates in the throat, mouth and nose. This is called resonance. Resonance gives your voice its colour, brightness and ability to carry; with good resonance, the voice sounds clearer and fuller with less effort. Flexible throat and tongue muscles, a mouth that opens easily, clear speech and a nose you can breathe through comfortably are the foundations of good resonance.
Changes in the voice over the years are not inevitable. About one in five people aged 60 and over notice a change in their voice, yet many regard it as normal and do not seek help. Research shows that targeted voice exercises can increase vocal strength and reduce the effort needed to speak.
Not every change in the voice is related to time. Reflux, benign or malignant lesions on the vocal folds, or conditions affecting the nerves that supply the vocal folds can cause similar symptoms. That is why the first step is an accurate assessment.
Signs you may notice
- Your voice becoming thinner, hoarse or less clear
- Your voice tiring quickly during long conversations
- Difficulty making yourself heard in crowded places
- A shaky voice or a change in the tone of your voice
- Your voice sounding muffled, held back or nasal
- People finding it hard to understand you on the phone
- A narrower range of notes when you sing
- Feeling that you run out of breath while speaking
If you notice any of these, a voice assessment is the first step towards strengthening your voice again.
What can be done?
Your treatment plan is tailored to your examination findings, how you use your voice and what you expect from it.
- Comprehensive ENT and voice assessment: Your hearing and your entire airway are evaluated. Videolaryngostroboscopy shows the vibration of your vocal folds in slow motion. Acoustic voice analysis and a breathing assessment reveal the strengths of your voice and the areas that need support.
- Voice therapy and exercise programs: Vocal function exercises, phonation resistance training exercises and other methods strengthen the vocal folds, aiming for a voice that is heard more easily and lasts longer. Such programs improve voice-related quality of life and reduce speaking effort.
- Strengthening breath support: Exercises for the breathing muscles help the voice carry longer and more powerfully.
- Strengthening resonance: Resonance exercises and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises place the voice “forward” in the face. The voice then becomes brighter, fuller and carries further without straining the vocal folds.
- Medical and surgical options: When exercises alone are not enough, procedures that help the vocal folds close better, such as injection laryngoplasty and thyroplasty, may be considered.
Simple daily tips to keep your voice strong
- Use your voice every day: Chat, read aloud, sing.
- Let your voice resonate: Hum “mmm” with your lips closed and feel a gentle vibration on your lips and around your nose. Try to keep this resonance as you speak.
- Drink plenty of water: A well-hydrated airway helps the vocal folds vibrate more easily.
- Keep your nose clear: A nose you can breathe through comfortably also enriches the resonance of your voice.
- Stay active: Regular walking and breathing exercises are a source of strength for your voice too.
- Stay away from smoking; keep alcohol and caffeine to a minimum.
- Have dinner early: Late, heavy and large meals can increase the likelihood of reflux.
- In noisy places, move closer to the person you want to talk to instead of raising your voice: communicate without straining your vocal folds.
- Have your hearing checked: Hearing well helps you adjust your voice correctly; voice and hearing health should always be considered together.
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a doctor about a change in my voice?
If the change lasts longer than two weeks or affects your daily life, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist as soon as possible.
Do voice exercises work at any age?
Yes. Controlled studies show positive results from voice exercises in people aged 60 and over as well. Exercises started earlier in life help preserve voice quality and keep it sustainable.
How long does voice therapy take?
Most programs consist of sessions over a few weeks plus short daily home exercises. The duration is planned individually after the assessment.
Is singing good for my voice?
Singing with good technique or joining a choir is one of the most enjoyable ways to exercise your voice regularly.
What is vocal resonance and why does it matter?
Resonance is the strengthening of the sound produced by the vocal folds as it resonates in the throat, mouth and nose. Good resonance makes your voice clearer, brighter and able to carry further with less effort. Resonance can be developed with exercises tailored to you.
Is the examination painful?
The vocal folds are examined in a few minutes with a thin camera through the mouth or nose. The examination is painless.
If you have noticed a change in your voice, contact us for a comprehensive voice assessment.
The information on this page is for general guidance only; an examination is needed for an individual diagnosis and treatment plan.