Parkinson's Disease and Speech Problems
Overview
Parkinson's disease
can affect the muscles of the lips, tongue, throat, voice box (larynx), and lungs, all of which are involved in producing speech. Stiff, slow muscles in these areas may lead to:
- Low voice volume or soft speech.
- Imprecise speech sounds.
- Speaking too fast or too slow.
- Monotonous voice.
- Hoarseness.
A speech therapist (also called a speech-language pathologist) can help you learn ways to improve your speech. He or she may provide:
- Breathing exercises to improve voice volume.
- Speech exercises to make your sounds clear and precise.
- Tips to help make your speech rate more regular.
- Exercises to practice pitch changes when you speak.
Credits
Current as of:
April 30, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: April 30, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.