Presbyphonia: voice differences between the sexes in the elderly. Comparison by Maximum Phonation Time, Phonation Quotient and Spectral Analysis

Abstract

This study of 40 elderly subjects (30 women and 10 men) between the ages of 70 to 90, attempts to qualify and quantify their voices and to compare the results with a young population and to establish any differences between the two sexes. The measurements concerned the Vital Capacity (VC), the Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) and the Phonation Quotient (PQ). The equivalent values for a young population were compiled from the literature. Spectral voice analysis was also included in the study. The mean speaking fundamental frequency (Fo) of the voice changes with age; it increases in men and decreases in women (158 Hz in elderly men vs a normal value of 120 Hz; 205 Hz in elderly women vs a normal value of 225 Hz). Ageing influences the vital capacity to the advantage of men (median VC = 2.61 vs 1.61 in elderly men and women, respectively). For sustaining a vowel a, the Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) is significantly better in elderly men (median MPT = 16 sec in elderly men and 12 sec for women). Phonation Quotient does not differ significantly between sexes (median PQ = 153 ml/sec in elderly men and 152 ml/sec in elderly women). Although, the physical capacity of elderly women decreases, their vocal output remains very good when compared to young women. In elderly men, however, there is a phonation quotient decrease of 25 per cent compared to young men.