Speech and voice impairments are common among people living with Parkinson’s. As many as 90% of people with Parkinson’s experience difficulties such as “hypophonia” (soft speech) or a more monotone, raspy, or breathy voice. Speech can become less intelligible and can make communication difficult, especially if paired with facial masking (a decrease in facial expression). It will come as no surprise then that speech and voice impairments can impact quality of life.
Speech and Language Pathologist John Dean recently sat down with us to discuss the various speech challenges related to Parkinson’s and actions you can take every day to train your voice, improve your speech, and communicate more fluidly and clearly.
To download the transcript, click here.
Note: This is not a flawless word-for-word transcript, but it’s close.
Show Notes
- Speech-language therapy can help you in all stages of Parkinson’s, and seeing a speech-language therapist or pathologist soon after diagnosis is a good way to ensure your voice stays stronger, longer
- Speech-language therapy can help with everything from communication to swallowing and cognition as it relates to language
- Quiet speech, or hypophonia, is very common in Parkinson’s, as is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Speech-language therapy can help you manage these symptoms
- Aspiration pneumonia, an extremely serious condition that can result from swallowing difficulties, can occur when a large amount of material from the stomach or mouth enters the lungs. Because of this risk, it’s important to talk to your doctor and speech-language therapist if swallowing becomes a concern
- Dual-task exercises not only help you feel prepared for real-life experiences such as shopping and talking at the same time, but they can be engaging and fun ways to strengthen communication and cognition skills
- When you visit a speech-language therapist on a regular schedule, such as every six months, they can help you maintain your voice, communication, and swallowing strength while also checking for any possible red flags that have occurred since your last visit
- Group speech therapy classes and community singing programs, especially those designed specifically for people living with Parkinson’s, offer voice and speech benefits while also encouraging you to interact with your community and build social connections, two important aspects of living well with Parkinson’s
- A good starting place for finding a speech-language therapist near you is through the
resources mentioned
- Triad Health AI
- Dual Task for Parkinson’s
- LSVT Loud® and LSVT Big®
- SPEAK OUT!®
- The Victory Summit® Event – Boise
- Professor Bastiaan Bloem and Ending Parkinson’s
- Kathleen Donohue: What Is Aspiration?
- Kathleen Donohue: How Do You Prevent Aspiration Pneumonia?
- Davis Phinney and Kelsey Phinney Practice Vocal Chords for Parkinson’s
- The What, How, When, and Where of Deep Brain Stimulation and DBS webinar with Dr. Kara Beasley
- Keep ON Moving with online exercises for Parkinson’s
- How to Find a Speech-Language Therapist for Parkinson’s
- LSVT Big and Loud exercises
- Strategies for Addressing Speech and Language Challenges in Parkinson’s
- Dr. Benzi Kluger and Complementary Therapies and Alternative Practices for Parkinson’s
- International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society
- Webinar: Telemedicine and Parkinson’s and How Telemedicine Can Help You Live Well with Parkinson’s
Live Well Today Webinar Series Presenting Partners*
*While the generous support of our sponsors makes our educational programs available,
their donations do not influence Davis Phinney Foundation content, perspective, or speaker selection.
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*The Second Season of the Parkinson’s Podcast is made possible through generous support in honor of Dr. Margaret Hilgartner.
