If you listen carefully, what do you hear? Does the voice coming from your mouth sound like the voice you’ve always known in your head? Does something sound different? Are you noticing a different pitch or tone or strength of voice when you speak to others? While any of these are possible, one thing is clear: There are many reasons, as well as potential remedies, for voice changes as you age. Some may be natural and nothing to worry about while others may be signs of serious health concerns.

Presbyphonia is the medical term for an “aging voice” and the physical conditions that may lead to changes in your voice as you get older. While such changes are not universal, they may include such issues as a thinner, quieter, or rougher voice, leading you to become more reticent to speak or unable to be heard. What can cause such changes? Joints in your larynx may get thinner, your vocal cords may lose elasticity or flexibility and dry out, or even your lung capacity, central to powering your voice, may diminish with respiratory problems or a compressed or smaller torso. The medications you take, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can also dry your mouth or in other ways affect the quality and tenor of your voice. For some further insights on what can cause voice changes, clear your throat and click here.

So what types of symptoms should you be concerned about when it comes to voice changes? If you experience symptoms including breathiness, hoarseness, feeling out of breath, or using increased effort to speak, you may be best off seeking out medical advice and assistance. And under the doctrine of “use it or lose it,” it seems there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure your voice remains loud and clear to all within earshot. Beyond the usual exhortations to stay physically healthy, there are recommendations for such good vocal hygiene behaviors as keeping your larynx moist (including drinking lots of water, “wet” snacks like melon or grapes, and a humidifier to keep your air moist) and exercising your voice – for example, read out loud, even if no one is around or hum into a straw to stretch and strengthen your voice muscles.

Finally, you should know that there are ways to restore your voice to its previous sound or repair your vocal cords to better functioning. Such treatments can include voice therapy, vocal cord microsurgery, injections, or even implants to stabilize vocal cords. While you might just need to “wet your whistle,” more serious interventions may be valuable to improve the quality of your voice and allow for continued social engagement. So if you’re feeling that a distorted or diminished voice is hampering your life, click here to check out the skills and expertise that a laryngologist can provide.