Why have I suddenly started stuttering?

Many people contact us to tell us that they have suddenly started stuttering. It may be that they stuttered as a child but the stutter either resolved or it was not having an impact on their lives. Rather than starting to stutter suddenly, their earlier stuttering may have come back unexpectedly.

It may be that you are feeling stressed or anxious – that you are having changes in your life such as interviews for a new job, going on dates with new people, or making a wedding speech. These situations may lead you to tense your muscles and lead to more stuttering, or that you are noticing the stutter more than before, in the preparation to these important events.  

It may be that work situations have changed – since the Pandemic, many people are working from home using video conferencing which may have been something you previously avoided. People report seeing themselves on videoconferencing has made them stutter more and to become more aware of the stutter.  

For a few people, stuttering does suddenly start in adulthood as a result of a neurological event, such as a stroke, and is called a neurogenic stammer. Stuttering may also start as a result of an emotional trauma, commonly known as psychogenic stuttering.  

Should you start to stutter suddenly in adulthood, following assessment we may need to make an onward referral to rule out a neurological diagnosis or to seek additional psychological support.

Speech Therapy can support you in increasing your confidence, reducing your stress and anxiety around stuttering and developing strategies to make talking easier. Click on the contact us button to arrange a free consultation or email us for more information.

How can I train my voice to sound feminine?

Trans* Voice - Tips for learning and exploring your voice

In therapy you will be exploring your voice. Repetition outside the clinic room is important to change. It is comparable to going to the gym for your voice. You are developing flexibility and freedom for your voice. When learning and exploring try to:

Be Playful – try out new things

Be Mindful – notice without judging

Be Curious – use all of your sense to explore your voice

Be Imaginative – find your own images, hand gestures to support exercises

Be Positive

Be Regular – Be creative about when and where you practice – little and often.

Be Patient – Let things develop and transfer to situations that are easiest first

Be Reflective – record your voice, keep a diary

Be Sociable – try to step out of solo practice into getting support from others

Adapted from The Voice Book for Trans and Non-Binary People – Matthew Mills and Gillie Stoneham

For more information about Voice Feminisation Therapy click here

We are Clinical Specialists in Voice, Voice feminisation and Voice Coaching. Send us an email or book a free consultation for more information.

Is Online Speech Therapy Effective?

Online Speech Therapy (often called Tele-health in research studies) has been shown to be effective and often better in treating many conditions. Studies have looked at comparing online Speech Therapy vs seeing the clinician in person, often referred to face-to-face therapy.

Research shows us that Online Speech Therapy has shown be effective and has high levels of satisfaction for clients.

If you are interested in whether Online Speech Therapy is effective in your condition please see the relevant research below.

Is Online Speech Therapy effective for Language difficulties (Aphasia)?

The Efficacy of Telepractice on Expressive Language Outcomes for Adults with Aphasia: A Systematic Review Morgan Bailey B.S., Lauren Burningham, B.S., B.A., Erin Fifield, B.A (2018)

This study examined whether online Speech Therapy produces positive expressive language outcomes that are comparable to face-to-face therapy for adults with aphasia. They looked at all studies that have compared online Speech Therapy to face-to-face.

The results indicated that online therapy produces similar outcomes when compared to traditional face-to-face therapy.  Most studies showed positive patient satisfaction and quality of life.

Is Online Speech Therapy effective for Dysarthria (Slurred Speech)?

Telemed J E Health 2009 Nov;15(9):840-50.The Redesign and Re-Evaluation of an Internet-Based Telerehabilitation System for the Assessment of Dysarthria in AdultsAnne J Hill 1, Deborah G Theodoros, Trevor G Russell, Elizabeth C Ward

 This study showed high levels of satisfaction from patients being assessed Online. It also showed good strength of agreement between Online Speech Therapy in comparison to face – to –face assessment.

Is Online Speech Therapy effective for dysphagia (Swallowing difficulties)?

Morrell, K., Hyers, M., Stuchiner, T., Lucas, L., Schwartz, K., Mako, J., Spinelli, K. J. & Yanase, L. (2017). Telehealth Stroke Dysphagia Evaluation Is Safe and Effective. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 44 (3-4), 225-231. 10.1159/000478107.

 For swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) 100 patients were assessed comparing face to face with Tele-health (online speech therapy assessment) showing excellent agreement between therapists. This study indicated that online speech therapy was a safe and effective way to deliver dysphagia assessments online.

Evaluation of a Clinical Service Model for Dysphagia Assessment via Telerehabilitation. Elizabeth C. Ward,1,2 Clare L. Burns,3 Deborah G.Theodoros,l and Trevor G. Russell1

100 patients were assessed online and face to face. Results for swallowing difficulties were comparable to face to face assessment. There were high levels of patient satisfaction and patients felt comfortable with online assessment.

 Is Online Speech Therapy effective for Voice?

Voice Therapy Using Telecommunications Technology Pauline A. Mashima et al. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology. Vol 12. 2003.

This study showed that there was no difference in face-to-face outcomes vs online therapy. All patients had positive changes following rehabilitation for their voice through speech therapy.

 The effectiveness of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment therapy issued interactively through an iPad device: A non-inferiority study. Journal of Tele-medicine and Tele-care. 2017 Murray Griffin et al.

Lee Silverman treatment is the recommended Speech Therapy treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. It is intensive requiring four sessions a week for four weeks. For those people that struggle to travel, online therapy is ideal. This study even showed that online showed superior improvements than face-to-face therapy.

 Is Online Therapy effective for Stammering?

Research is in its infancy for stammering and online therapy. An NHS trust completed an improvement project in 2018 that looked at treating patients using online Therapy. The Therapy showed a reduction in the negative impact of stammering and many clients preferred therapy in their home environment rather than in a clinical setting.  

What can I do to look after my Voice?

• Stop smoking. If you can’t give up, cut down. Smoking irritates and damages the vocal folds. Talk to your GP about advice to support stopping smoking.

• Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods can cause stomach acid to move into the throat or oesophagus, causing heartburn or reflux. If you do experience reflux, talk to your GP about possible medications.

• Avoid too much coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. These can dry out the vocal cords. Try drinking decaffeinated tea or coffee or follow an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

• Avoid shouting and whispering

• If your voice feels tired or strained then rest it. This is your bodys way of telling you to rest your voice

• Try not to clear your throat unnecessarily. It can create excessive mucous and lead to a further need to clear your throat. Try drinking water instead or swallowing.

• Avoid dry and dusty atmospheres as they may dry out the vocal cords. Wear a mask in a dusty environment.

• Try to drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of liquid a day (not including coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks). This will prevent dehydration of the vocal cords.

• Try steaming to keep the vocal folds hydrated

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.

What is Aphasia?

 How is aphasia caused?

 Aphasia is caused by damage to the language areas of the brain. In most people, this is typically the left hand side of the brain. It is most commonly caused by a stroke or a brain injury. It can also be caused by progressive disorders such as brain tumors.

How does aphasia affects communication?

 It can affect a persons understanding, speaking, reading and writing. Symptoms can vary in severity from people not being able to express themselves by any means, to milder symptoms of a delay in accessing words. However, even mild symptoms can have an impact on peoples confidence requiring Speech Therapy.

Does aphasia go away?

 It depends on the cause and severity of the aphasia. If it is caused by a brain injury and stroke, it is likely to improve. If it is caused by a progressive disorder this is means that it will unfortunately not improve.

Can aphasia be cured?

Speech therapy aims to restore a persons language through exercises but also support them

Can Aphasia be treated?

The treatment for Aphasia is with Speech and Language Therapy. Evidence shows that Speech Therapy is effective for people with Aphasia following a stroke, compared to no therapy.

How can you help someone with Aphasia?

After an assessment, a Speech Therapist will be able to give you specific advice about the best ways in which to communicate.

Below is some general guidance:  

• Give the person plenty of time to respond. If a person with Aphasia feels rushed or pressured to speak they may become anxious, which can affect their ability to communicate.

• Use short, uncomplicated sentences.

• Do not change the topic of conversation too quickly.

• Avoid finishing a person's sentences or correcting their errors.

• Reduce distractions.

• If you don't understand something a person with Aphasia is trying to communicate, don't pretend you understand.

• Use visual references, such as pointing, gesturing and objects, to support their understanding.

• If they're having difficulty finding the right word, prompt them – ask them to describe the word, think of a similar word, try to visualise it, think of the sound the word starts with, try to write the word, use gestures, or point to an object.

Our Speech and Language Therapists are Specialists in Aphasia. Feel free to book a free consultation or email us for further information.