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Semin Speech Lang 1997; 18(2): 171-180
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064071
© 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Age-Related Effects on Speech Fluency

Anthony J. Caruso, M. Troy McClowry, Ludo Max
  • Orofacial Motor Control Lab, School of Speech Pathology & Audiology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 May 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

This article provides a brief review of age-related changes in speech production before discussing fluency changes that have been found in aging, nonstuttering speakers. Most studies agree that old and young adults evidence similar frequencies of disfluency. The disfluencies of a 105-year-old woman were compared to the means of several geriatric groups whose average ages were more than 20 years younger. Overall frequencies and types were similar. Thus, aging speakers' fluency does not appear to be more susceptible to breakdowns than that of younger speakers, although there is some evidence that elderly speakers become much more disfluent than younger speakers under stressful conditions.

KEY WORDS

speech production - fluency - aging

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