Transcript cotsv 16 - Schd.ws

Care of the Senior Voice
FOR HARMONY UNIVERSITY 2016,
BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY
BY STEVE SCOTT, MM, MA
Questions

What happens to the voice as it ages?

Are vocal problems inevitable?

Are vocal problems preventable?
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Can I recover age-related voice issues?

When should I stop singing?
Class overview
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1- Structure and Function of the singing voice
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2- Developmental changes

3- Characteristics of the aging voice
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4- Impact of health on vocal health
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5- What to do?

6- Open to questions
Overview
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The Larynx

The structure of singing voice
 Cartilages

Thyroid

Cricoid
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Epiglottis

Arytenoids
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Coriniculate

Cuneiform
Intrinsic Muscles





CT
PCA
LCA
TrA / ObA
TA
Extrinsic
11 Muscles
Overview

Sound Production

Power Source
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Vibrating Source
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Resonator

Articulators
Senior Voice
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Aging Process
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Difference between chronological and biological age
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You really are only as old as you feel
Age-related Factors
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
Muscle Atrophy
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Loss of muscle fiber density
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Loss of elasticity
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Results in bowed folds
Neuromuscular

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Mucous Membranes
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
Central nervous system slows
Decrease in mucous secretions
Joint Surface Erosion

Can get arthritis in the larynx joints too!
Age-related Factors


Lung Capacity
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Intercostal muscles experience atrophy too
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At age 75, respiratory efficiency can be ½ of a 30-y.o.

More residual air
Aging bodies


Cartilage Ossification


Become stiff and less mobile
Thyroid and cricoid begin changing in the early 20s
Reduced blood flow
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Injuries more likely
Related Aging Issues
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Obesity


GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)


Hypothyroidism
Pharyngeal acidity (due to food and drink)
Medications
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Many are drying
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Serious Illness

Surgeries more frequent

Intubation tube length matters!
Hearing

Conductive Loss
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Prevent transfer to inner ear
 Affects the

ability to monitor one’s voice

Arthritis in ossicles (tiny ear bones)

Ear infections
Sensorineural Loss
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Problems in inner ear (cochlea, auditory, brain)

Noise-induced hearing loss
 Headphones, etc
Sound and Intensity
Source
Intensity

Threshold of Hearing
0 dB

Rustling Leaves
10 dB

Whisper
20 dB

Normal Conversation
60 dB

Busy Street Traffic
70 dB

Vacuum Cleaner
80 dB

Headphones at max level
100 dB

Front row of a rock concert
110 dB

Threshold of Pain
120 dB

Military Jet Takeoff
140 dB

Instant Tympanic Membrane Perforation 160 dB
The Aging Larynx
Healthy, young larynx
Aging Larynx
Vocal Fold atrophy
 Muscle strength loss
 Vocal Fold bowing
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Hormone Loss
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Hormones affect secretions


Saliva, glandular
Difference in sexes

Men
 Testosterone production decreases


Can raise voice pitch
Women
 Estrogen production decreases
 Testosterone production stays

Can lower pitch
constant
Vocal Quality
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Less supple folds
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Loss of high notes
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Loss of intensity
Change in timbre

Breathiness, huskiness
 Extrinsic muscles
often “help” closure
Menopause
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Age 40-58

Stages: pre-, peri-, post-
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Vocally unstable period for women

Range adjustments necessary for many singers

Many experience a new vocal stabilization – different from youth,
but reliable
Vibrato


What it is

Rate

Extent
Vibrato and age
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Tension-related


Extrinsic muscles
Neurological
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Tremor
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Rate is too fast

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Sometimes related to palsy  treatable with medication
Wobble

Rate is too slow
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Extent can be affected
Prevention/Restoration

Stay fit!
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Stay hydrated
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Sleep well
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Nutrition
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Sing regularly
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Speak well
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Professional help
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Medical

Clinical
Medicine
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What you ingest makes a difference!
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Check your meds:

http://ncvs.org/rx.html
Pros of the Senior Singer
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Pros:
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Vast stores of life experience

Expressive capabilities

Healthy voices can sing A LONG time
Daily Exercises
All exercises should focus on efficient vocal fold closure
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Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises
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Lip trills
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Tongue trills

“V”
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Hand over the mouth

Straw

Straw in water
Speech Connection
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Moan

Creaky voice
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Staccato
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Consonant Help
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G, Y, M, N, B
Steve Scott
[email protected]
singwithscience.com