Do Age-Related Changes to the Mature Female Voice have a Detrimental Effect on Maximum Phonational Frequency Range?
Objective
Age-related changes are multifaceted, influenced by physical and mental health, hormones, genetics, work and voice use. In women, many sources suggest that women will lose their highest notes but gain some lower ones.
Hormonal changes during menopause can produce an increase in vocal fold mass and, therefore, the fundamental frequency will likely descend. There is enormous difference in severity of symptoms for each woman. The most frequently mentioned symptoms are a loss of the upper register and a dryness of the mucosal membrane, effecting glottal closure and vocal comfort.
Other age-related changes include the ongoing process of ossification and calcification, changes to the respiratory muscles leading to a decrease in expiratory flow and lung pressure, atrophy, bowing or oedema of the vocal folds, all of which can cause change to MPFR.
Method
This research involved 34 amateur choral singers. who were tested annually over 4 years. They were asked to sing ascending and descending scales. The highest and lowest pitches sung were noted.
Results
44 % increased their highest pitch, 25% had no change and 31 per cent had a decrease. Change to the lowest pitch indicated 22% had no change, 37% had a higher pitch, 41 per cent had a lower pitch.
Finally, the data were analysed using JASP statistical analysis software (Version 0.16.3).
The null hypothesis was that the first data collection would show that pitches sung in the first data collection were significantly higher than in the fourth. This would evidence what is suggested in the voice scientific literature. However, the results were not significant, (p < 0.664). The analysis of the lower pitches showed a statistically significant drop in the lowest sung pitches between the third to the fourth data collections p<0.002.
Conclusions
Despite age-related changes it is possible for a singer to maintain or improve their MPFR
Author
Dr. Rebecca Moseley-Morgan
PhD, MA (mus), BA (hons), ARCM(hons), FISM
Chair of Education British Voice Association
Specialist voice teacher for the mature voice
Author and researcher