![]() Effective therapies for the aging voice teach exercises that build up the voice muscles and the respiratory system. "You can learn a lot in just a few lessons," he points out. Such experts, says Johnson, a former singing teacher himself, will evaluate your voice, teach you exercises tailored to your needs, and work with you to be sure you're doing them right. To do that, seek out a vocal coach, a singing instructor or a vocologist, a speech language pathologist with additional training in voice. But you have to practice them correctly to benefit. Humming into straws, singing your favorite songs, reading out loud - these and other exercises can help keep your voice youthful. ![]() Even an exercise as simple as walking can provide fitness benefits that extend to your voice. "If you let your body become deconditioned, people are going to hear that in your voice." So be sure to stay physically active. "Your voice is a reflection of your health," she says. Your voice works best when your whole body's in good shape, Hapner notes. Go too loud for too long, says Hapner, and you may lose your voice to laryngitis, a swelling of your vocal folds. Hapner also recommends karaoke, with a caveat: If the joint's really rocking, you'll have to compete with a lot of noise in order to be heard. "Trained singers have been found to be able to keep their vocal youth much longer than nonsingers." Sing along to the radio or a CD or join a church choir. "The benefits of healthy singing can't be underestimated," says Edie Hapner, director of speech language pathology at the Emory University Voice Center in Atlanta. You may feel shy or a little silly about it at first, but it's a great way to build some regular voice use into your day." "Do you start your day with the newspaper? Read one article out loud each morning - to your spouse, your pet or just yourself. ![]() " 'Use it or lose it' applies to the voice," he says. Reading aloud keeps your voice working, and that's crucial to vocal health, according to Aaron Johnson, an assistant professor of voice and speech science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As with any exercise, you'll build stamina over time. Stop sooner if your voice feels fatigued. Warm up with simple "hmmm, hmmm" hums, then vary your pitch by imitating a siren. Start with a wide straw and progress to a smaller one, such as a coffee stirrer, as your voice gets stronger. ![]() "It helps stretch and strengthen the muscles of the voice," explains Eric Hunter, an associate professor of communicative sciences and disorders at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Here's a simple workout for both: Grab a straw and hum into it. Like other muscles in your body, your vocal folds need exercise to stay fit. Hoarseness, for example, can be a sign of chronic acid reflux, Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions, and laryngeal cancer. Gradual voice changes are a normal part of aging, but it's not a bad idea to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out health problems. ![]()
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