A vacuum cleaner will make more noise if the air flow is restricted - the motor runs faster and makes a higher pitched sound.
But from what you say that is probably not what's going on - the noise may well be the sound of the motor dying - brushes breaking up or the bearings beginning to fail.
If it's brushes you might be able to detect an electrical smell from the exhaust air. If it's the bearings you might use a wooden spoon as a form of stethoscope to check them - between the case of the machine and your ear.
If in recent times you have had a dust bag split then grit and dust will have damaged the motor.
Good luck...
July 2015