Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects movement, but it can also affect speech, voice, facial expression, communication, chewing, and swallowing . Changes in speech or voice may sometimes appear early in the condition, and communication and swallowing difficulties can change as Parkinson’s progresses.

How Can Parkinson’s Affect Speech?

A person with Parkinson’s disease may experience:

• Soft or reduced-volume speech

• Hoarse or breathy voice

• Slurred or less precise speech

• Rapid speech

• Short or rushed bursts of speech

• Reduced speech clarity

• Difficulty finding words

• Changes in facial expression

• Difficulty participating in conversations

These changes can make communication more difficult, particularly in noisy environments or during longer conversations.

Voice Changes in Parkinson’s Disease

Voice changes are common and may include:

• Reduced loudness

• Breathiness

• Hoarseness

• Reduced vocal variation

• Vocal fatigue

• Difficulty projecting the voice

A person may feel that they are speaking at an appropriate volume even when their voice sounds very soft to others.

Voice and speech therapy can help individuals work on vocal loudness, clarity, respiratory support, and functional communication.

Language and Communication Difficulties

Although Parkinson’s is primarily associated with movement difficulties, some individuals may also experience changes in:

• Word retrieval

• Understanding spoken information

• Organizing thoughts

• Conversation

• Verbal expression

• Social communication

The communication profile can vary from person to person, so assessment should be individualized.

Swallowing Difficulties in Parkinson’s Disease

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can occur in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Possible signs include:

• Coughing during or after meals

• Frequent throat clearing while eating or drinking

• Difficulty swallowing pills

• Feeling that food is stuck in the throat

• Taking unusually long to finish meals

• Changes in eating habits

• Unintentional weight loss

Swallowing difficulties can increase the risk of dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration, and respiratory complications , making timely assessment important.

How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can support communication and swallowing throughout different stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Therapy may include:

Speech & Voice Therapy

Improving vocal loudness, clarity, breath support, and efficient voice production.

Speech Rate and Intelligibility

Developing strategies to make speech slower, clearer, and easier to understand when rapid or reduced speech clarity is present.

Communication Strategies

Teaching strategies that make everyday conversations easier and helping individuals maintain participation in social and family interactions.

Swallowing Assessment and Therapy

Evaluating swallowing function and providing individualized strategies or exercises when appropriate.

AAC and Alternative Communication

If speech becomes unreliable, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can provide additional ways to communicate, including communication boards, writing, or speech-generating devices.

Family and Caregiver Training

SLPs can also support family members and care partners with communication and mealtime strategies.

Why Early Assessment Matters

Communication and swallowing difficulties can change as Parkinson’s disease progresses. Early assessment allows the SLP to establish a baseline, identify concerns, provide appropriate strategies, and monitor changes over time.

If there are signs of swallowing difficulty, professional assessment should not be delayed , particularly when coughing during meals, weight loss, or other swallowing concerns are present.

Speech & Swallowing Therapy at iSpeak Total Communication Clinics

At iSpeak Total Communication Clinics , therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease is individualized according to their speech, voice, language, swallowing, and functional communication needs .

Therapy may focus on:

• Speech clarity

• Vocal loudness

• Voice quality

• Speech rate

• Communication strategies

• Word retrieval and language

• Swallowing assessment and management

• AAC when required

• Family and caregiver education

Our goal is to support safe swallowing, effective communication, independence, and quality of life at every stage of the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parkinson’s disease affect speech?

Yes. Parkinson’s can affect voice volume, speech clarity, rate, and other aspects of communication.

Why does a person with Parkinson’s speak so softly?

Parkinson’s can affect the motor control involved in speech and voice production, resulting in reduced vocal loudness.

Can speech therapy help Parkinson’s patients?

Yes. SLPs can provide individualized intervention targeting speech, voice, communication, and swallowing.

Can Parkinson’s disease cause swallowing problems?

Yes. Swallowing difficulties can occur and may become more significant as the condition progresses.

When should someone with Parkinson’s see an SLP?

An SLP assessment may be helpful when there are noticeable changes in speech, voice, communication, chewing, or swallowing—or when these difficulties begin affecting daily life.

Can AAC be used in Parkinson’s disease?

Yes. AAC can provide alternative or additional communication methods when speech becomes difficult or unreliable.

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Speech, Language, and Swallowing Difficulties Are Common in People With Parkinson’s Disease. October 2, 2024.

ASHA – Speech, Language, and Swallowing Difcultes in Parkinson’s Disease

Copyright & Content Note:

This article is original educational content prepared for iSpeak Total Communication Clinics . It summarizes information from ASHA without reproducing ASHA’s copyrighted text, graphics, or proprietary material. ASHA is credited as the source/reference.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical, neurological, audiological, or individualized speech-language/swallowing assessment and treatment.