Presbylarynx (Presbyphonia)

Literally, “old age larynx.” The term presbylarynx is used to signify vocal cord changes (and, by extension, vocal limitations) that accompany aging. Also referred to as presbyphonia (presby- “old age” phonia- “voice”), which does not describe precisely the voice’s capabilities, limitations, and aberrations as well as the term presbylarynx.

Causes and Symptoms

Typically, these vocal cord changes include bowing of the cords, atrophy, flaccidity, and sometimes reduced wetness and lubrication of the vocal cords. The symptoms of these changes include foggy or weak voice quality, difficulty being heard in noisy places, and decreased vocal endurance.

Such findings are by no means universal in older individuals, however, and some of these changes may be resisted with vocal conditioning exercises. Moreover, some “presbylarynx” changes can be seen in individuals who are only 40 or 50, due to disuse of the voice or familial predisposition. For these reasons, presbylarynx does not seem to be a very useful term; instead, a precise description of the patient’s vocal cords seems to be more useful (e.g. vocal cord bowing, flaccid vocal cords).