Aaron Johnson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a researcher and speech–language pathologist specializing in voice habilitation, vocal rehabilitation, and the neuromuscular science of how the voice adapts to training and injury. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Co-Director of the NYU Langone Voice & Swallowing Center. His NIH-funded research examines laryngeal neuromuscular plasticity — exploring how the vocal mechanism changes in response to vocal training, vocal injury, and aging. As a clinician, Dr. Johnson works on a multidisciplinary team treating voice disorders in professional voice users, including singers, actors, and performing artists. Before entering research and clinical practice, he spent over a decade as a professional classical singer and voice teacher, a background that continues to shape his work bridging voice science, vocal health, and performance.

In this episode of On The Voice, Dr. Aaron Johnson joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a conversation exploring the science behind vocal injury, vocal recovery, and long-term vocal sustainability for singers and professional voice users. Together, we explore the aging voice and how it begins a lot sooner than we thought! We discuss what actually changes across the lifespan, how singers can adapt and embrace their instruments over time, and why vocal training continues to matter at every stage of a career. This episode offers a rare look inside the research shaping the future of vocal health, voice science, and clinical voice care for singers and performing artists.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.