Emma Lindström, Greta Öhlund Wistbacka, Agnes Lötvall, Roland Rydell, Viveka Lyberg Åhlander
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how otherwise healthy older adults with self-assessed voice problems relate to their voice and voice changes.
Method: Focus groups were conducted at an activity center to identify how older adults reflect on their own voice and the aging voice in general. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. The analysis was done using thematic content analysis.
Results: The analysis resulted in three main themes: "communicational aspects of the aging voice," "consequences of deteriorating vocal and communicative capacity," and "attitudes, strategies, and ideas". The participants considered voice to be an important communication tool and presented what could be interpreted as awareness regarding their voice. Voice changes were considered a natural part of aging. This attitude was also an important reason why the participants had not sought medical care for their voice problems. The participants discussed ideas concerning extended voice use to maintain a functioning voice when aging. Simultaneously, voice changes due to aging were considered to have a negative effect on communication and social participation.
Conclusions: The voice is important for older adults, and an insufficient voice can affect communication and social participation. Information about aging voice and voice exercises, for example from speech language pathologists, could be of interest among older adults. Further studies on the voice of older adults are needed regarding how they experience their voice and the general aspects of a healthy aging voice.
期刊介绍:
Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology is an amalgamation of the former journals Scandinavian Journal of Logopedics & Phoniatrics and VOICE.
The intention is to cover topics related to speech, language and voice pathology as well as normal voice function in its different aspects. The Journal covers a wide range of topics, including:
Phonation and laryngeal physiology
Speech and language development
Voice disorders
Clinical measurements of speech, language and voice
Professional voice including singing
Bilingualism
Cleft lip and palate
Dyslexia
Fluency disorders
Neurolinguistics and psycholinguistics
Aphasia
Motor speech disorders
Voice rehabilitation of laryngectomees
Augmentative and alternative communication
Acoustics
Dysphagia
Publications may have the form of original articles, i.e. theoretical or methodological studies or empirical reports, of reviews of books and dissertations, as well as of short reports, of minor or ongoing studies or short notes, commenting on earlier published material. Submitted papers will be evaluated by referees with relevant expertise.