PURPOSE: To verify the occurrence of pauses in the speech of elderly and their distribution according to frequency and duration. METHODS: Participants were 128 elderly subjects of both genders, divided into two groups: GI (60-79 years) and GII (80 years and older). Speech samples were gathered from all participants for the analysis of speech disruptions. Pauses were classified as: hesitation (one to two seconds) and pause (over two seconds). The analysis considered 200 fluent syllables in each speech sample. The groups were compared regarding the following variables: presence of pauses and hesitations; average duration of pauses; percentage of pause time; frequency of pauses and hesitations; and general frequency. RESULTS: There was a greater number of pauses and hesitations in GII. In the analysis of duration and percentage of pause time, no differences were found between groups. Regarding the frequency of pauses, hesitations and general pause (hesitation plus pauses), a difference was observed only for the last variable, with higher average occurrence for GII. CONCLUSION: Elderly over 80 years of age present more speech pauses than younger elderly. The study contributes as a marker on the changes in speech related to the amount of pauses, and as a comparative parameter for symptoms of diseases manifested by speech variations.
Aging; Speech; Language disorders; Memory; Aged
