What is dysarthria?
Dysarthria is a medical term for changes in speech caused by weak or slow-moving muscles in the face, mouth, and throat. It can affect the clarity, speed, volume, and rhythm of speech, making communication challenging. For people with Parkinson’s, this is very common; up to 90% of people will notice changes in how they speak.
How Parkinson’s affects your speech
Parkinson’s slows down your movements (bradykinesia), and that includes the muscles you use to talk. Speech changes can begin early in the condition, even before other symptoms are noticed. This can lead to:
- A soft or quiet voice
- Mumbling or slurred words
- Flat tone (monotone)
- Breathy or hoarse voice
- Fast or stuttering speech
- Trouble with word-finding
- Fewer facial expressions, making it harder to show emotion.
These changes can make it harder to join conversations, talk on the phone, or feel confident in social settings.
Speech problems
Problems arising after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is often used to improve motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness. However, it can also affect areas of the brain involved in speech and communication. Some people experience improvements in speech clarity or volume, while others may notice new or worsened difficulties, such as:
- Reduced speech volume (hypophonia)
- Slurred or unclear speech (dysarthria)
- Trouble finding words or forming sentences (verbal fluency issues).
A 2024 systematic review found that speech, voice, and language outcomes after DBS are mixed, but speech pathology can help manage these changes and improve wellbeing. These effects can vary depending on the DBS target site (e.g., Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) vs. Globus Pallidus Internus (GPI)), the stimulation settings, and the person’s baseline speech function. STN DBS may reduce verbal fluency by up to 30%, especially with higher stimulation settings, while GPI DBS tends to have a more stable effect on speech and may be preferred when preserving communication is a priority.
Who can help?
The good news is that a speech pathologist can make a big difference. A speech pathologist can:
- Check how your voice and speech are working
- Teach you exercises to strengthen your voice
- Help you speak more clearly and confidently
- Suggest tools like voice amplifiers or communication apps
- Work with your family or carers so they can support you.
There are also special programs like LSVT LOUD and SPEAK OUT!, which are designed just for people with Parkinson’s. These programs focus on increasing vocal effort, which helps improve loudness and clarity.
A speech pathologist also plays a key role in your post-DBS care team by:
- Assessing speech and voice changes after surgery
- Providing targeted therapy to improve articulation, breath support, and vocal strength
- Helping adjust to new communication challenges that may arise with DBS
- Training communication partners (like family or carers) to support effective conversations
- Monitoring swallowing safety, especially if changes in muscle control affect eating or drinking.
If you’ve had DBS, or are planning to, or a just diagnosed or way along the journey, seeing a speech pathologist early and regularly can help you stay ahead of any speech or swallowing changes. They’ll work with you to keep your voice strong, your communication clear, and your mealtimes safe.
Tips for better communication
- Sit or stand tall when you speak
- Take a deep breath before talking
- ‘Think loud’ and ‘speak loud’
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Pause often to give yourself time to take more breaths
- Reduce background noise and distractions
- Look at the person you’re talking to
- Practise daily—just like physical exercise, your voice needs a workout too
- Try singing or reading out loud to keep your voice strong.
Why early help matters
Getting help early can make a big difference. Studies show that early speech pathology can help slow down the decline in speech and improve your wellbeing.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to see a speech pathologist:
- People say they can’t hear or understand you
- You avoid talking in groups or noisy places
- You feel frustrated or left out of conversations
- You find it hard to talk on the phone
You can find a speech pathologist through your GP or by using the search function on the Speech Pathology Australia website ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’
Learn more in our Information Hub: Dysarthria Infosheet (PDF)
Infosheet kindly reviewed by Speech Pathology Australia
Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for the speech pathology profession in Australia. You can locate a speech pathologist by using the ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’ search function on the Speech Pathology Australia website.
