Are you tired of hearing your family ask,
“What did you say?”
“Can you say that again?”
Or do you have a loved one with Parkinson's and you’re tired of asking these questions? For people with Parkinson's disease, the hardest thing about communicating is NOT BEING LOUD ENOUGH! LSVT LOUD may be the solution!
What is LSVT?
LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) LOUD is an evidence-based treatment protocol backed by 30 years of research. People with Parkinson’s disease need to exert more vocal effort to achieve a voice audible to the average listener. LSVT’s specific protocol trains your body and mind how to do just that. LSVT aims to calibrate your voice, so that you feel comfortable using a good quality, strong voice in everyday speaking situations.
How does LSVT work?
LSVT is specifically designed to improve overall loudness and quality of speech for people with Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s disease most commonly experience speech that is quiet, mumbled, rapid, or monotone, often with a harsh vocal quality. LSVT LOUD targets these specific speech characteristics by training increased vocal effort. Their tagline “Think Loud” retrains the brain to be intentional about loudness of speech.
People with Parkinson’s also perceive their voice much louder than it actually is due to an impaired feedback loop, so they need to train their brain to overcome that by THINKING LOUD. Soon, the effort that is required to produce an appropriate loudness will begin to feel natural.
What does an LSVT session look like?
LSVT LOUD treatment sessions train your body in how it feels to speak at an appropriate volume using a specific protocol. Each session lasts 60 minutes and involves vocal exercises and carryover exercises followed by daily homework tasks. As therapy progresses, loudness is generalized to everyday speech utilizing client specific communication tasks. Throughout the session, your speech therapist certified in LSVT LOUD will guide you in producing a good quality voice at an appropriate volume. While LSVT utilizes a specific treatment protocol, it is also customized to each client to acheive their individual communication goals.
How long will I need LSVT?
LSVT LOUD requires a specific dosage of treatment: 4 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. This is very important to the success of LSVT LOUD and should be considered when beginning LSVT treatment. At Premier Speech Services, we are happy to work with your schedule to find a time when family, travel, and other commitments won't interfere with your therapy progress!
After the 4 week treatment protocol, you will continue daily exercise practice and homework to maintain that good quality, loud voice. In addition, Premier Speech Services offers opportunities for maintenance tune-ups 3-12 months post-treatment.
How can I get LSVT LOUD treatment?
LSVT LOUD can be completed in person or via telehealth with a speech therapist certified in LSVT LOUD. Premier Speech Services offers LSVT LOUD services via telepractice, so you can get treatment from the comfort of your own home! Contact your doctor about a prescription for speech therapy, then visit our website to begin LSVT LOUD.
We are ready to help you find your best voice and regain your quality of life!
More questions about LSVT LOUD? Email us to find out more!
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