How about speech therapy?

[ivyanne]

My speech is getting harder to understand. garbled. Stuttering. . I find I can't communicate especially on the phone. The volume is getting lower too, altho I can't tell. I'm thinking about a referral to a speech therapist if it will help

[ivyanne]

I should say this problem began this year and is getting worse as the pd progresses.. I was dx 10 yrs ago

[alllowercase]

A BT Converse telephone handset would be a help. but try joining the Typetalk service. you type in on a minicom phone and a trained operator reads it to the other person, then types your friend's reply to your minicom (assuming you are on the right side of the pond.).

[jillannf6]

hi the lee silverman voice therapy is good if you have a speech therapis twho is familiar with it

where do you live a sthe USA are much better a t this than we r in the uK

lol Jill

[hilarypeta]

Lee silvermanmethod is supposed to get things back to normal..think loud! Im bad as well but cant find a speech therapist who s trained in it. I try saying ah! With my mouth wide as i can and for as long and loud as i can..5 times every am..ive warned the neighbours. Apart from that read aloud loudly. Sing the scales. Sing the alphabet. Tongue twisters. Breathing, mouth and swallowing exercises. At all times remember we hear ourselves louder than we can be heard. Talk asloud as you can.

Problem is im in paris alone mostly..people cannot understand my french.very frustrating and isolating.if anyone knows of any therapists of Lsvt method in paris id be grateful.

Cheers, peta

[shasha in reply to hilarypeta]

thanks for the tips - will try them out

[shasha]

i am the same - garbled and speech getting very quiet so i think i may ask fir some help - but it will be in french !!

[hilarypeta in reply to shasha]

Where are you? Im in paris.

[shasha in reply to hilarypeta]

near limoges #

[maidar in reply to shasha]

My boyfriend is going crazy trying to get me to speak loader! Not possible! WHATEVER!!

[quirkyme in reply to maidar]

never say never! You might be surprised at what you can do. Your abilities

are likely still there. LOUD teaches you ways to work around it.

The thing is all these take diligent practice and exercising and it's hard

to be that disciplined. Many people are by nature but some of us aren't.

[Alleymay1957 in reply to maidar]

Yes it is possible, I'm living proof! Go to you tube, go to free singing lessons and start doing the exercises they give you, start karaoke slowly, gradually increase your volume and give or take a few months and you'll be singing Heart songs with very high volume. Trust me,try it and let me kn ow how it works out.

Cheers Alice

[philb]

I have just attended a Lee Silverman Speech course at my local hospital (Rochester in Kent) on the NHS. Speak to your GP or parky nurse but if they can't help contact the Parkinson's UK helpline and they will put you in touch with someone.

Phil b

[ram927]

just started a program call LOUD AND BIG its new in the last few years I go to voice therapy ever day for a month one hour a day work on voice control and volume you fell like you are shouting but you are not its working to make your brain adjust to PD just finished first week

[Hikoi]

Ivyan

I did Lee Sylverman speech training. Its good except for the homework, cant imagine what the neighbours thought.

Also you might be interested in the latest "on the Move" its focus is communication, speech issues in Parkinsons! Here is the link.

cureparkinsons.org.uk/Handl...

[philb]

Sorry just re-read and note your in Paris so instead of PUK contact the Euro Parkinson's Association (epda.eu.com) and ask them for help.

[jonroberts]

It's my understanding speech therapists need to be certified to use the Lee Silverman voice and speech Big and Loud. I'm seeing a soeech therapist for swallowing. For those from Paris that are basketball fans. Wendell McKines from New Mexico State is doing quite well playing in Paris. Once an Aggie, ALWAYS an Agvie!!

[sunshine102]

You described exactly what I'm experiencing. I too am going to consult a speech therapist. Will be interested in what your therapist has to say. Have to say I really enjoy this site.

[PatV]

My exercise program for pwp's (persons with parkinsons) includes vocalization in one way or another. It's really helpful and fun and we reinforce each other. Hope you can find help and support soon. In the meantime, be LOUD

[ivyanne in reply to PatV]

But does speech therapy help with enunciation? The garbled speech is more of a problem than volume.

[PatV in reply to ivyanne]

I'll ask my friend . She's a retired speech therapist.

[quirkyme]

google LSVT LOUD.

youtube.com/watch?v=gNIdxYj...(Not working as expected?)

apdamidwest.org/APDA_Midwes...

[PatV in reply to quirkyme]

this is great. may i share?

I was told of a japanese study where folks in a senior residence, who were apathetic and had stopped grooming, started reading out loud every day. After time they were stronger, more social and had started combing their hair, etc. I started at that time to read out loud from my religious writings every morning after my morning prayer, which I also do spoken. My voice is actually improving even when my PD is doing its worst.

[maidar in reply to quirkyme]

WOW! Thank you!

I will look into this!

[Don_oregon_duck in reply to quirkyme]

Great program. Excellent results.

[MyownPOV]

heres something that helped me. Buy a Delayed Feedback App from any Apple store. As you read and talk you hear your own voice coming back at you - but fractionally delayed. It feels like youre talking in unison with someone else. Its called choral speech, much like singing. I just looked and its right name is Delayed Audio Feedback or DAF. You have to practice, A word of caution, one speech therapist tried to sell me one for $5,000. I was vulnerable and almost bought it...but didnt. Mine costs $150.

[isis6361]

Salt deals with swallowing chewing eating and speech to us in the uk it is essential part of iPd care to prevent aspiration and to check safety in swallowing

[esrob]

I took part in the Lee Silverman speech therapy about nine years ago and the old "think loud" technique still works. This was in the early days in the UK when we had one to one workouts every day for an hour each time for a month. Hard work for the therapist and me, but well worth it.

[Dennis]

I did speech therapy with "Heather" at the UofAZ. I was amazed how it helped me. If now I would only do the homework faithfully. I am a public speaker and had to retire

due to the loss of speech except for a crackle and low almost soundless. I: am disappointed the therapy could not continue. ~~Dennis

[rhyspeace12]

Read what I posted today about " Interactive metronome" with a speech therapist. It sounds like exactly what you need. Look up interactive metronome .com. My husband has the same problem as you. This retrains the brain through rhythm and timing. Medicare and other insurance pays for it.

[Alleymay1957]

Hi ivyanne,

My speech was stuttered and my voice was at an all time low. I started doing karaoke a little at a time and believe me whether you can sing or not the mussels in your throat become very strong. If you go to free singing lessons on you Tube you get a loot of good points about facial expressions. I can sing "The Power of Love" at an all time high now. It's amazing how it works. PLease try it and let me know how you make out.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cheers Alice (Alleymay)