In my voice studio, I work with students of all ages, and over the years I’ve been witness to frustrations and tears from some of my older students grappling with the effects of aging on the voice.

While it’s tempting to push too hard, blame yourself, or simply give up completely, I want you to know that there is another, kinder and more generous, way to navigate these changes.

As in all things aging, we can approach the mature voice from two simultaneous points of view. First, we can get educated about the simple yet super effective things we can do to restore function, flexibility, and strength to our voices.

And secondly, we can regard the evolving voice with reverence and celebration, as different textures and nuances emerge that reveal deeper layers of maturity and wisdom. Just as our bodies tell the story of our lives through every scar and wrinkle, so too our voices are an intimate reflection of our deepest, most sacred life experiences.  

In this two-part blog post, I’ll first share some common things you might be noticing in your voice as you age, and what to do about them. (This is great information for singers of any age, because all the solutions offered here are things you can do now to have fewer problems in the future!)

In the second half (coming soon!), I’ll invite you to embrace the evolving voice and celebrate the artistry that emerges with age, by sharing some links to performances of mature singers that I think you’ll find inspiring.  

So, first things first. Here are 3 of the most common vocal problems people tend to experience as they age, along with some practical tips for preventing and treating them.

1.     Reduced Range, losing higher and/or lower notes

• Cause: Decreased vocal cord elasticity and muscle strength.

• Solutions:

  • Warming up VERY WELL before singing repertoire.

  • Straw slides and other semi-occluded vocal tract exercises.

  • Consistent vocal practice (even a few minutes a day can make a huge difference).

  • Hydration

2.     Loss of Power, difficulty projecting with the same force and volume as before

• Cause: Reduced lung capacity and/or strength.

• Solutions:

  • Breathing and sustain exercises.

  • Regular physical exercise (including cardio).

3.     Raspy or Breathy Voice

• Cause: Vocal cord dryness, acid reflux, and/or vocal cord injury.

• Solutions:

  • Hydration.

  • Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises.

  • Eating a clean diet (experimenting to see what your dietary triggers might be and eliminating these).

  • Avoiding irritants like smoking.

  • If concerns persist, consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to rule out any underlying issues.

Not sure what a semi-occluded vocal tract exercise is? Curious about learning some breathing exercises? Let’s talk!

A word about hydration: We all know that drinking water is essential to good health. But did you know that it takes 24 hours for the body to send the water we drink to all the different parts of us, including our vocal cords? Definitely drink water. Duh. But vocal steaming is a much more direct way to get hydration to the vocal cords. For more information about vocal steaming and other general voice care, check out this blogpost.

A word about ENTs and vocal cord injuries: The first time I went to the ENT to discuss some changes I was noticing in my voice, he diagnosed me with acid reflux, a left slow wave, a deviated septum, and a raised larynx.

I cried the whole way home. I was filled with hopelessness, and it was my first experience of understanding how vulnerable my voice; my instrument, my livelihood, my identity, my joy; really was. After many years of taking my voice for granted, I was suddenly face to face with the impermanence of it all. And I was terrified.

So… that happened. But then, I got to work. I changed my diet to combat the acid reflux, which also created all sorts of other positive changes in my life. I started work with a voice specialist to heal the left slow wave, which took about nine months of simple daily exercises. And my ability to sing in tune (my main complaint), was restored, and even the overall quality of my voice improved from all the positive changes and dedicated daily practice.

I share this to emphasize that many, the vast majority, of vocal problems are completely treatable. Most do not require surgery. Even vocal polyps can often be healed without surgery.

So please don’t be afraid to go the ENT! If there’s a vocal problem that is bugging you, that doesn’t seem to be resolving through other methods, an ENT will be able to tell you if it’s a structural problem. There are so many qualified and wonderful professionals out there who would love to help you! Even if you are not a “professional singer,” isn’t your voice worth it?

My goal is to keep on singing until I’m at least 100! Will you join me?

Please stay tuned for my next blogpost, where I will share some inspiring links to performances by mature singers, from Joni Mitchell to Johnny Cash, who kept singing well into their later years with joy, depth, and beauty. If you have any favorite singers you think I should include, please get in touch!