Presbylaryngis
Presbylaryngis, also known as vocal fold atrophy, is caused by age-related changes in the vocal folds, including ossification of laryngeal cartilage, decreased muscle bulk, decreased mucus production, and thickening or thinning of the epithelium.
"This is one of the hardest problems to treat surgically," Dr. Cohen said. Therefore, voice therapy is the first line treatment, he said.
In general, the pitch of men’s voices rises in cases of presbylaryngis, while the pitch of women’s voices decreases, Dr. Cohen noted. Patients perceive their voices as breathy and weak, with vocal fatigue and decreased ability to project their voices.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Approximately 25% of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) present with speech and swallowing problems. ALS is a progressive degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons. Speech in these patients is typically slow, weak, and hypernasal, said Dr. Cohen. ALS patients may have dysarthria (disturbance of articulation) as well as dysphonia, and involuntary twitches of the tongue, he added.
Neither Dr. Cohen nor Dr. Noordzij had any financial conflicts to disclose.