Shared from myparkinsonsteam.com.
If you’re living with Parkinson’s disease and struggle with a quiet speaking voice or other speech problems, you’re not alone. Changes in speech and vocal articulation are common symptoms of Parkinson’s. Many people with Parkinson’s have breathy, low-volume speech, which can make it difficult to communicate and may make social situations uncomfortable.
“My voice gets thinner and softer as the day wears on,” one MyParkinsonsTeam member said.
Fortunately, with the help of your doctor and a speech-language pathologist, you can find ways to improve communication and maintain a fulfilling social life.
Why Parkinson’s Affects the Voice
Dysarthria is a communication disorder in which muscles that control speech are impaired. This condition is common in people with Parkinson’s. Voice disorders caused by dysarthria can be caused by motor symptoms that occur as Parkinson’s progresses or by movement disorders from long-term use of the medication levodopa/carbidopa.