PD and VOICE
 

One on the long list of PD symptoms is change in voice. Has any one dealt with that?:

Dad's voice gets soft & weak at times.

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Undiagnosed, but think I found a movement disorder specialist about 50 miles away, which I might make an appointment with. Anyway I do have weak/soft voice issues. Along with not being able to whistle anymore. Also keep rubbing my thumb & finger, open/closing right hand all the time and walk slow & flat-footed, especially when turning.

PD and voice
 

One of my friends who has PD, and has had two DBS, has a problem speaking. Both the ability and the volume have been affected. He was told it was because they passed thru the speech center of the brain while performing his DBS. The docs are considering botox injections on the vocal chords to help him.

My husband with PD has more trouble because he mumbles, perhaps more from never being able to stand up straight, and his voice goes straight down to the floor. My favorite word now is, "What?".

It's frustrating, I know. As our friend says, "Can't walk. Can't talk. Can't pee. Can't see. What next?".

Gotta keep laughing!

Diagnosed 10/25/13 with Parkinson's Disease by MDS. Am on Carbidopa-Levodopa which has made a remarkable difference. It was a big relief just getting a diagnosis. Am also setting up appointments with speech, physical & occupational therapy. He also wants me to have a swallow test done. Feel better than I've had in at least a year or two.

I noticed my voice has changed. (More hoarse, most of the time.)
So far, not dealing with it at all...

Rob.

Speech difficulty common with PD
 

Hello! I am a speech-language pathologist that specializes in helping people with Parkinson's with their speech.

Voice changes are very common with Parkinson's. About 89% of people diagnosed will experience some changes in their voices... common symptoms are soft, weak voices, hoarseness, slurred speech, and monotone speech.

The good news is that speech differences are typically very responsive to therapy! Vocal exercises coupled with practice with using strategies while speaking can make a huge difference in the strength, quality, and intelligibility of speech. Seek the help of a speech-language pathologist who has experience treating people with Parkinson's so they can guide you in developing an exercise program and teach you strategies to improve your speech.

I use a treatment program called SPEAK OUT! that was developed at the organization I work for, Parkinson Voice Project. We have trained therapists all over the United States to help people with Parkinson's... there may be a trained therapist in your area.

My voice definitely changes according to my level of l-dopa in my system. Guess I do my own therapy...sing as much as I can.When low in l-dopa, voice is lower pitch and cracks when I sing...sounds lousy. When l-dopa is a good level and I am not under any stress to perform, my voice goes back to where it was in 7th grade before my diving acccident..a very nice tone/ relaxed and a higher range. Humming at times seems to help . Making very loud Lion-type yawns. Also patting face and massaging face and neck to try to keep muscles more functional...lots of neck stretching. Got to keep everything mobile.

Regular exercise like singing is great! We have a singing group at our clinic for our PWP to get good exercise for their voices. :)

One important note tho, it's always a good idea to get an evaluation from a professional as there is a sensory awareness component involved in speech disorders with PD, meaning that the PWP is not always aware of the extent of changes in the voice. Getting an objective eval will help you know that you're doing everything you can do!