Understanding how voice changes in older adults affect social interactions
Official title: Characterizing the impact of presbyphonia on social interaction
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10976779 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in voice that happen as we age can affect social interactions and well-being for people 65 and older, and it will also test a special voice therapy to see if it helps improve communication and reduce feelings of isolation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $167,743 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG089006-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976779 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who experience voice disorders, particularly presbyphonia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have voice disorders or are younger than 65 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of presbyphonia, a common voice disorder in older adults, on their ability to communicate and engage socially. It aims to understand how voice changes lead to social isolation and decreased well-being among individuals aged 65 and older. The study will involve comparing social interaction scores between older adults with presbyphonia and those without, as well as assessing the effects of a specialized voice therapy program designed to improve communication. Participants will complete validated questionnaires and undergo functional voice assessments to provide insights into their experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved social engagement and quality of life for older adults suffering from voice disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that voice therapy can improve communication abilities in older adults, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffman, Matthew R — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Hoffman, Matthew R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.