Voice Surgery for Aging Voice

Our voice production is initiated as air pass from our lungs through the vocal folds situated in our larynx (voice box). The vocal folds are the main station that controls the vocal pitch, this is accomplished by the interaction or counteraction of the ingeniously designed delicate muscles of the larynx. The other structures above the vocal folds from the larynx up to your lips, like the pharynx, tonsils, tongue, teeth, lips, and nose play secondary roles in voice production.

               The intensity (loudness) of the voice is mainly dependent on the volume of air and the pressure just under the vocal folds, the higher the volume and pressure of air, the louder the voice. The quality of the voice is in turn determined by the mucosal wave of the vocal folds. The mucosal wave is like a loose shirt that we wear, the vibration (the way a shirt rubs on our skin) helps produce a good voice quality.

As we age however, the mucosal wave becomes stiff and the vocal cords themselves become relaxed and thin. These factors make the voice hoarse and harsh with lower pitch and intensity, while the pitch becomes higher in some men. If you can still recall your grandparents, you may remember that their voice had changed while you were growing up and they are getting old. The reality is, your larynx and vocal cords (folds) also age along with all other parts of your body like your face. The simple solution for face however is facelift surgery which is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures that is performed worldwide. Unsurprisingly, very few may know the procedure called voice lift, a relatively simple procedure to rejuvenate or “lift” the voice to bring back its more youthful clarity.

This procedure (voice lift in Thailand), is best done under general anesthesia. There are basically 3 techniques that can be used depending on the the case of the patient, we have fillers, fat, and stem cells. The latter being the most promising in terms of long term result. The duration of the treatment will vary depending on the technique that will be used but it will generally take between 30minutes to 3 hours.

In mild cases, voice therapy may be helpful, but for thosewith more sever glottal dysfunction (relaxation), the above mentioned procedures (fillers, fat, or stem cell rejuvenation) is often the answer.

In more severe cases where patients have large vocal fold gaps, Thyroplasty Type 1 may be recommended. This procedure is however more invasive but in cases as such, this may be the only possible solution. Thyroplasty Type 1 will involve an incision along the lines on your neck (to make the scar as inconspicuous as possible) then an implant will be inserted to augment the vocal fold to bring it closer to the midline, therefore correcting hoarseness and increasing voice intensity.