Recently, I had a doctor ask me about using a voice amplifier instead of SpeechVive. Here's my response: I rarely recommend voice amplifiers in my practice. A lot of SLPs use the phrase “garbage in, garbage out” when referring to them. Due to the speech qualities associated with PD: slurred speech, rate changes, and sometimes stuttering—it can be difficult to understand someone via amplifier. The amplifier does a great job increasing volume, not speech or voice quality. Also, the amplifiers can seem obtrusive looking to many clients. Frequently, the result is a louder, poorly understood voice or an amplifier that sits on the shelf gathering dust. The MAIN reason I don’t typically recommend them—it does NOTHING to address the underlying physiology and speech-breathing patterns that are disordered and reduced for people with Parkinson's disease. Research shows that people with Parkinson's benefit from exercise. SpeechVive's automatic cue to speak louder turns every speech utterance into "speech exercise." I've been a Speech Pathologist for over 12 years. With SpechVive, I'm able to provide an immediate increase in speech volume and I know that it's helping outside my office. I know that I'm being effective by helping people with Parkinson's communicate again. Interested in trying SpeechVive?
1 Comment
|
Archives
August 2017
Categories |