The Effects of Aging on Communication

Abstract

Age can be estimated fairly accurately by listening to the voice and speech of the individual. The critical processes of communication — respiration, phonation, articulation, language, and hearing — are described in terms of the anticipated biological tissue changes of aging and the effect of these changes on the speaking process. With the exception of the common finding of hearing loss in old age, the processes of communication do not seem to be seriously affected by “normal” aging. Complicating factors and diagnostic and remedial implications are discussed.