title: Challenges and opportunities in the management of the aging voice.
abstract: Presbyphonia, or age-related dysphonia, is a diagnosis of exclusion, and other comorbidities must be considered in a complete evaluation of elderly patients with dysphonia. The aging voice can have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patient. In addition to the molecular effects of aging on the laryngeal tissues, the etiology of presbyphonia is often multifactorial because of comorbidities in the other organ systems involved in phonation. After a comprehensive evaluation, presbyphonia may be treated conservatively with voice therapy or with a range of interventions. Research into tissue engineering and electrical reanimation offers future options for treatment of presbyphonia. Currently, a multidisciplinary approach offers the most complete improvement in the vocal quality of life in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. michael.johns2@emory.edu
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: Lindsey Clemson
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Arviso
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramadan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D058753:Laryngoplasty; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011788:Quality of Life; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014834:Voice Training