Many adults with Parkinson’s disease experience changes in their voice and speech. Over time, this can make it harder for them to communicate with family, friends, and caregivers. But did you know that speech therapy can help you improve the strength, volume, and tone of your voice?
At Rebound Physical Therapy, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have the skills and training to help people with Parkinson’s strengthen their voice and improve their communication skills. Keep reading to learn more about how Parkinson’s disease can affect your voice and what our experts at Rebound can do to get you back in action.
How Parkinson’s Disease Affects Speech and Voice
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement and muscle control. It’s called a “progressive” disease because its symptoms usually start out mild and get more severe over time.
Since Parkinson’s affects movement and muscle control, many people know that it can affect your ability to walk or handle daily tasks. But it can also affect the muscles you use for speaking, which can lead to:
- Soft or Weak Voice – A lower vocal volume that makes speech hard to hear
- Monotone or Hoarse Speech – A loss of vocal variation (in pitch or tone) and clarity of speech
- Slurred or Mumbled Words – Difficulty articulating sounds clearly
- Speech Fatigue – Trouble maintaining a strong, clear voice throughout the day
How Speech Therapy Helps Strengthen the Voice
Speech therapy for Parkinson’s focuses on improving your vocal strength and clarity. Our speech-language pathologist (SLP) will assess your unique challenges and create a personalized therapy plan to address them. Depending on your current symptoms, your therapy plan may include:
- Vocal Loudness Exercises –To increase the volume of your voice and improve your vocal projection
- Breath Support Techniques –To strengthen your respiratory system for better vocal control
- Speech Clarity Exercises – To improve your articulation and reduce slurred or hoarse speech
- Rhythm and Intonation Practice – To restore your natural vocal variations (in pitch, tone, etc.) for more expressive speech
The Benefits of Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Speech therapy can make a significant difference in the daily lives of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Some of the benefits you can experience include:
- Improved vocal strength and clarity
- Greater confidence in social interactions
- Increased ability to express your thoughts and needs
- Reduced frustration in daily conversations
- Slower progression of speech difficulties
When to Seek Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Many people with Parkinson’s wait until their speech becomes significantly impaired before seeking help. However, seeking speech therapy as soon as you notice voice or speech changes can help you slow the progression of these challenges and maintain strong communication skills for longer.
You should reach out to our experts for a speech evaluation if you experience:
- A softer voice that makes it difficult for others to hear you
- Frequent requests from others to repeat yourself
- Speech that feels painful or tiring to produce
- Trouble keeping up with conversations
- A loss of vocal variation that makes your speech sound monotone
- Difficulty swallowing, which can sometimes accompany speech changes
Reach Out to Rebound for Expert Speech Support
If you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease is experiencing vocal changes, speech therapy at Rebound can help restore your confidence and communication. Give us a call at (785) 367-3079 to schedule a speech therapy screening, and let’s work together to get you back in action today.
Tags: Therapy, Speech, parkinson's
