Cosmetic surgery has allowed some baby boomers to turn back the aging clock. Now there's apparently a treatment that will keep your voice from aging.
An increasing number of patients are seeking help from the University of North Carolina Voice Center and other medical facilities.
Dr. Robert Buckmire, a UNC otolaryngologist says a person recorded at age 30 and again at age 70 will sound noticeably different because of the diminished bulk of the vocal cords. Lung capacity also tends to diminish with passing years, leading to a weaker voice. Sometimes a singer or speaker will produce a breathy sound through vocal cords that aren’t closing properly.
Changes in the brain can bring tremors and other signs of aging.
TIPS FOR PRESERVING SPEECH FOR A LIFETIME
According the National Center for Voice and Speech, most behaviors recommended for general health also keep people’s voices in good shape.
The research and teaching organization adds the following tips:
—Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to maintain hydration.
—Support the voice from abdominal muscles when speaking or singing.
—Avoid “vocally abusive” activities such as yelling, screaming, coughing and throat-clearing.
—Warm up the voice before using it.
—Don’t talk or sing at unnatural pitches.
—Stay away from over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, which thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding of the vocal folds.
—Drinks including caffeine and alcohol remove moisture from your system and should each be counteracted with an equal-sized glass of water.
FYI: An otolaryngolgist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
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