Parkinson's Disease & Speech Therapy
Could Parkinson's be affecting your speech and language abilities?
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. Although the exact cause of Parkinson’s is still unknown, both genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s are related to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, which can affect movement, speech, and communication. For example, a person with Parkinson’s may speak very quietly and have difficulty recognizing how quiet their speech sounds. They may also experience changes in facial expressions, motivation, and their ability to start or control movements.
You might benefit from Speech Therapy, if:
People often ask you to repeat yourself
Your voice sounds hoarse or scratchy
Your family tells you that you speak too softly
Your voice feels "strong" on some days and "weak" on others
You clear your throat often
You sometimes feel uncoordinated
Food or pills sometimes feel like they get “stuck” in your throat
Strategies to Improve Voice Quality:
Many people with Parkinson’s disease experience changes in how they perceive and produce their voice. One common change is reduced vocal loudness. A person may feel like they are speaking at an appropriate volume, while their communication partner may hear their voice as much quieter than expected. This difference in perception can make it challenging to adjust vocal loudness independently.
Because of this, practicing a stronger, more intentional voice can be an important part of communication. However, increasing vocal effort should be done in a way that supports healthy and sustainable voice use.
Here are a few strategies you can practice at home:
Hydrate! Staying well hydrated throughout the day supports healthy vocal fold function. If you drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, try having water first. A simple strategy is to pair your coffee with an equal amount of water, for example, one cup of water for every cup of coffee.
Speak with purpose! Focus on clearly articulating your words and intentionally projecting your voice. You may need to speak louder and with more effort than you feel is necessary. This increased awareness and intentionality can help your voice sound clearer and stronger to your communication partner.
Avoid putting strain on your voice! Don't abuse your voice by doing things that cause more strain to your vocal cords. These would be things such as shouting, whispering or pushing your voice too hard when sick.
How can I support a loved one who has Parkinson's Disease?
Start therapy ASAP! Staying active and continuing to use these skills is SO important because reduced movement can lead to weakness and make everyday activities and overall quality of life more difficult.
Speech therapy can help people with Parkinson’s maintain their communication skills, with the goal to improve speech volume and clarity, and address other communication, cognitive or swallowing changes. Starting therapy early can help people manage these symptoms and maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Parkinson's Support at Beyond Speech Therapy
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and might benefit from Speech Therapy.
We offer a a free 15-minute consultation to speak with an SLP about your needs to determine if Speech Therapy is right for you. A consultation can also help us match your needs with a knowledgeable and passionate SLP, we have several SLPs on staff trained in the LSVT-LOUD program! Your session might include personalized vocal warmups, reading passages, cognitive tasks and intentional conversations with homework provided in between sessions.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you gave any questions info@beyondspeech.ca
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