Age affects communication in several ways due to physiological, cognitive, and social changes that occur as people grow older.

Effects of Aging on Communication

Physical and Sensory Changes

• Hearing loss is common, especially in adults over 65, affecting about 35% or more, and nearly half of those over 75 experience some hearing impairment. This can make it difficult to distinguish certain speech sounds and understand conversations, especially in noisy environments

• Changes in the voice occur due to weakening muscles in the throat and jaw, reduced flexibility of the larynx, and tissue changes, often resulting in a voice that sounds hoarse, shaky, breathy, or tremulous, with pitch variations

• Vision changes can also affect communication by making it harder to read lips or see facial expressions clearly

Cognitive and Language Changes

• Some language abilities remain stable with age, such as vocabulary, grammatical judgment, and repetition ability

• However, there can be declines in comprehension of complex sentences and naming objects, as well as slower auditory processing and minor word-finding difficulties

• Processing speed slows down, making it take longer to learn new information, recall recent events, or complete sentences

• Expressive language is generally preserved but may require more effort to retrieve certain words

Changes in Communication Style and Content

• Older adults tend to use more formal and direct language compared to younger people who may use more informal language and nonverbal cues

• Topics of conversation may shift to focus more on past experiences, family, health, and current activities rather than socializing or slang terms common among younger generations

• Generational and cultural differences also influence communication preferences, including comfort with technology and face-to-face interactions

Social and Emotional Impact

• Communication changes can lead to social withdrawal or avoidance of social situations due to difficulty hearing or speaking clearly

• Loss of friends or loved ones and physical limitations may reduce opportunities for social interaction, further impacting communication

In summary, aging affects communication through a combination of sensory decline (especially hearing), changes in voice and speech production, cognitive slowing impacting language processing, and shifts in communication style and social context. While many communication skills remain intact, these changes can require more effort and adaptation to maintain effective interactions.

References

PMC - Communication and Aging

Communication Hub - Ageing and Communication

TutorChase - How does age affect communication styles?

UAMS - Communication and the Normal Aging Process

Great Speech - Does Aging Affect Speech?