Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease : What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment?
LSVT loud ® stands for Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is a evidence based Speech and Language Therapy technique that improves loudness for people with Parkinson’s disease.
What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment ?
LSVT loud ® stands for Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is a evidence based Speech and Language Therapy technique that improves loudness for people with Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown it can also be used in a variety of neurological conditions, such as Stroke, to improve Speech. Speech and Language Therapists are certified after a LSVT loud ® training course and an examination.
How can Parkinson’s Disease affect speech?
Parkinson’s disease can cause people to talk quietly, have reduced variation in pitch and a hoarse voice. Their speech may sound monotone and lack emotion. People with Parkinson’s Disease are often not aware that they are talking quietly - we need to work with you to recaliberate your sensory feedback to raise your awareness of your loudness, improve voice projection and reduce effort in conversation. Difficulties with voume and clarity can impact on people’s confidence and mood. Our ultimate aim is to improve your volume, speech and confidence - your speech does not need hold you back.
How does Lee Silverman Voice Treatment work?
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment ® (LSVT Loud) focuses on increasing loudness and increasing peoples awareness that they speak too quietly. It is an intensive individual Speech and Language Therapy Technique.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment requires an assessment session, and 16 therapy sessions, at 60 minutes each. You will also be given homework to practice outside of sessions.
Research has also shown improvements in swallowing difficulties in Parkinson’s Disease.
Can I do Lee Silverman Voice Technique online?
Studies show that Lee Silverman Voice Technique is as effective online as face-to-face Therapy. It is often easier to have Intensive Speech Therapy in the comfort of your own home than in travelling to a clinic. We use zoom which is very user friendly and allows for recordings of your speech for great Biofeedback.
We also offer Speak Out Treatment - this is less sessions (thereby reducing cost) and is shown to be as effective as Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.
Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice & Neurology with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice & Neurology Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT loud ®) .
What is a vocal fold paralysis?
Frequently asked questions about vocal fold palsy
What is a vocal cord paralysis?
A vocal fold palsy or vocal fold paralysis is when one or both of the vocal folds do not open or close properly. In most cases, only one vocal fold is affected. Paralysis of both vocal folds is a rare and serious condition.
The vocal folds are two elastic bands of muscle tissue located in the voice box directly above the windpipe. When you use your voice, air from the lungs causes your vocal folds to vibrate between open and closed positions. If you have a vocal fold paralysis, the paralysed fold may remain open. The voice then becomes weak and breathy.
What causes a vocal fold paralysis?
The most common cause is a viral infection. It can be as a result of nerve damage due to surgery, injury or certain cancers. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease of multiple sclerosis can also lead to a vocal fold paralysis.
What are the symptoms of vocal fold paralysis?
Symptoms of a vocal fold paralysis are changes to a person’s voice. A breathy, hoarse or weak voice is common. Some people report difficulties swallowing and a swallowing assessment may be required by a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Dysphagia. Sometimes people become more breathless with exercise or find it hard to life heavy items.
Can vocal fold paralysis be cured?
Typically, damage is temporary and will improve over several weeks. However, the majority of people will require Voice Therapy by an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to improve their voice. Treatment is available via the NHS for free. We often treat people when there is no voice therapist available or they are waiting for NHS therapy. Online Speech Therapy for Voice is effective.
Our Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.
Can Dysarthria be treated?
Dysarthria is the medical term for slurred speech. Treatment depends on the cause of the Dysarthria. If Dysarthria is caused by a stroke or head injury, it can improve with Online Speech Therapy. If it caused by a neurological disorder that can become worse over time (a progressive disorder), such as Motor Neurone Disease, it is likely to get worse. However, Speech Therapy can support with strategies and assistive devices in these circumstances.
Dysarthria is the medical term for slurred speech. Speech Therapy Treatment for Dyarthria depends on the cause of the Dysarthria. If Dysarthria is caused by a stroke or head injury, it can improve with Speech Therapy. If it caused by a neurological disorder, that worsens over time (a progressive disorder), such as Motor Neurone Disease, it is likely to get worse. However, in these circumstances, Speech Therapy can also support you with strategies and assistive devices.
For Dysarthria due to Parkinson’s disease, there are recommended intensive treatments called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) or Speak out! We have trained and certified clinicians that can provide both treatments.
What Assessments do you use in Dysarthria?
We typically start treatment with a standardised assessment for Dysarthria. These assessments look at different aspects of your speech such as your breath support for speech, volume, intonation, voice and how clear your speech is to a listener. It is important to complete an assessment to identify the areas that are impacting on your speech so that we can focus on improving these specific impairments.
What is Goal setting in Dysarthria?
We discuss with you how your Dysarthria is impacting on your day-to-day life and set personal meaningful goals to improve your speech. Goal setting is proven to improve motivation for therapy and mood. These goals will be realistic, achievable and will be reviewed after a short block of therapy.
Dysarthria Therapy may include
- Working with you and your loved ones to make communication easier
- Exercises focusing on improving the clarity of your speech
- Alternative ways of communication to support your speech
- Biofeedback of recordings to raise your awareness of your speech
Our Speech and Language Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Dysarthria & Voice treatments. Arrange a free 15 minute consultation or email thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com
What is Speak out! What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD)?
Speak out and LSVT Loud are intensive Speech Therapy treatments for Parkinsons disease focusing on improving voice and volume. They both have a strong evidence that they are effective treatments.
What is Speak Out! ® & Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) loud for Parkinson’s Disease?
Speak out ! ® and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud) ® are intensive Speech Therapy treatments for Parkinson’s disease focusing on improving voice and volume. They both have a strong evidence that they are effective treatments. Both are seen as the best Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. Certification is provided to Speech and Language Therapists following a training program. Our Speech and Language Therapists are certified in both treatment Techniques and have experience of providing these treatments online with effective results.
How can Parkinson’s Disease affect speech?
Parkinson’s disease can cause people to talk quietly, have reduced variation in pitch and a hoarse voice. People with Parkinson’s Disease are often not aware that they are talking quietly - we need to work with you to recaliberate your sensory feedback to raise your awareness of your loudness, improve voice projection and reduce effort in conversation.
What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT loud)® for Parkinson’s Disease ?
LSVT loud ® stands for Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is a technique that improves loudness for people with Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown it can also be used in a variety of neurological conditions to improve Speech.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment ® (LSVT Loud) focuses on increasing loudness. Research has also shown improvements in swallowing and articulation. LSVT requires an assessment session, and 12 therapy sessions, at 60 minutes each.
What is Speak Out® for Parkinson’s Disease ?
Speak out! was developed by the Parkinson’s Disease Project. It focuses on producing a stronger, clearer voice. It focuses on the concept of intent and strengthens the muscles used for speaking. Speak out! ® requires 8-10 sessions, at 45 minutes each. It can be easier for people to fit Speak out! ® into their daily life, and it can reduce overall cost of treatment. Speak out! provided a free training workbook for clients.
Once treatment is complete, the Parkinson’s Disease project hold LOUD crowd groups and free Facebook practice sessions. This is important in maintaining the gains in therapy.
We offer both SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT loud ® with certified clinicians
Click on the contact us button to arrange a free consultation or send us an email for more information regarding our reasonable fees for Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease.