The Sound Center launches video series for people with Parkinson's Disease. Ann instructs viewers to use intent to speak clearly, a powerful tool for people with Parkinson's Disease.

The Sound Center launches video series for people with Parkinson’s Disease

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The Sound Center is pleased to announce the release of our new video series for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Do you or a loved one have Parkinson’s Disease? Do you want to find helpful treatments for speech, swallowing, or brain function?  Do you want to identify changes quickly and take action to improve your quality of life? If so, this video series is for you!

Speech-language pathologist Ann Kolker Rychel comments,

I’m excited to be a part of this! People should know there are research-based interventions that really work. For example, the SPEAK OUT! program takes people with Parkinson’s Disease from whispering and mumbling to being able to speak clearly and be heard at a family party!

Early treatment is essential in maintaining function. A speech pathologist can recognize small changes before they become a big problem. Speech disorders alone are estimated to affect nearly 90% of people with Parkinson’s disease, but only 3-4% will receive treatment for changes in speech1. The Sound Center can help!

People with Parkinson’s Disease, due to a lack of dopamine, have an impaired ability to do actions that used to be automatic, such as talking, walking, and writing. When they use intent to speak, their speech is more precise and their voice is clearer. They are able to be heard. Sometimes the change is dramatic.

Ann begins this new video series for people with Parkinson’s Disease with a demonstration of the use of intent. She invites the viewer to try using intent in simple phrases. She provides a brief glimpse into the power of doing actions on purpose.

The first video is just the beginning. New videos will be released twice a month, so stay tuned for more videos! For more information now:

1 Dashtipour K, Tafreshi A, Lee J, Crawley B. Speech disorders in Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology, medical management and surgical approaches. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2018 Oct;8(5):337-348. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2018-0021. Epub 2018 Sep 18. PMID: 30223711.