But reemergence or persistence of echolalia in a neurotypical adult could be suggestive of anything from brain damage to autoimmune disorders, which is why it’s a good idea to keep your doctor aware of the emergence of these types of behaviors. In autistic adults, this is normal self-regulative behavior.

If the grunting takes the form of a repetition of sounds or phrases, that could be a form of echolalia. For instance, many anecdotal cases have reported success at voluntarily suppress groaning with the practice of breathing techniques.īut again, it’s important to understand the source of the noise. They may or may not be aware they’re making it, and you might find they can make an effort to control it. Outside of formal behavioral therapy, communicating with your loved one about the noise they’re making is often a good start. There are also pharmacological approaches to alleviating involuntary grunting noises, which might include things like antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabinoids, and other psychoactive drugs. For instance, behavioral therapy might be used for vocal tics, physiological reflexes, and other sources of continual grunting.

Treatment will depend on the root cause, but in many cases, there are excellent options. Involuntary grunting noises can even be irritating – sometimes even to the person making the noise. And that’s part of the reason it’s a good idea to discuss these behaviors with a physician as they emerge, especially if they develop suddenly. In short, involuntary vocalizing can originate from an enormous range of potential problems. It can also be a consequence of movement disorders like progressive supranuclear palsy, tic disorders like Tourette syndrome, neurodegenerative syndromes like Huntington's disease, or metabolic disorders like Wilson's disease. In fact, vocally disruptive behavior is a trait found among as many as 40% of nursing home residents. An elderly person making grunting noises might be doing it for a thousand different reasons.

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