Parkinson’s disease often affects a patient’s ability to speak clearly and this is often considered one of its worst symptoms. For many patients, the loss of their ability to communicate clearly with others is heartbreaking. These patients have the added problem of feeling as if they have some form of dementia. It is important to remember that a Parkinson’s patient can hear himself very well.
It has been estimated that 65-90% of people with Parkinson’s disease will eventually have speech problems, and these problems can manifest themselves in explicit ways, including speaking in a monotone or in unintelligible gibberish. Sometimes patients hesitate before speaking, which can give the impression that there is some memory impairment or dementia in the patient. At other times, speech is faster than normal and very often the same words are repeated over and over again. Again, this may give the impression that the patient is suffering from dementia or memory impairment problems.
Dysarthria is another speech problem associated with Parkinson’s disease. This speech problem manifests itself in such forms as weak, soft, slow, or incoherent speech. As both the pitch and volume of speech are also affected by dysarthria, speech eventually becomes unintelligible.
Dysarthria is caused by weakening and incoordination of the speech muscles due to Parkinson’s disease. The severity can vary from one patient to another. In fact, some patients may have this in a very severe form, while others may have only mild effects.
Speech therapy can often help with this problem for some patients. If speech therapy is carefully introduced together with medication, extremely good results can often be achieved.
Voice exercises to improve the vocal cords and muscles can also improve speech difficulties caused by Parkinson’s disease. Regular voice exercises can be very effective.
Regardless of the therapy used, a person with Parkinson’s disease who also has a speech impediment should always be treated with consideration and patience. Visitors must remember that they need time to formulate their words and then they must pronounce the words by mouth. It can be frustrating for both parties, the speaker and the person listening to the Parkinson’s patient, but patience and respect must win. Trying to make the speaker speak faster will only make the problem worse.
Everyone should keep in mind that Parkinson’s disease robs a person of many things. The fact that it can also steal a person’s ability to communicate only makes it more terrible.