Voice Therapy and LSVT
LSVT methods train people with Parkinson’s disease to improve their voice, loudness and speech intelligibility. LSVT LOUD teaches people with Parkinson’s to use their voice at a more normal loudness level while speaking in conversation. While LSVT LOUD treatment has helped people in all stages of Parkinson’s Disease, the majority of research has been on those in moderate stages of the disease. The program has been researched to also help those with a prior stroke, MS or other neurological diseases.
People with Parkinson’s Disease may exhibit:
A soft or quiet voice
Fast, garbled speech
Monotone sounding voice
Words trailing off at the end of a sentence
Poor voice pitch or inflection
Difficulty swallowing
Excessive drooling
Slow rate of speech
Breathy or hoarse voice