JCH&L Offers SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT LOUD® Therapy Programs

Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services now offers both SPEAK OUT! ^® and LSVT LOUD^® Therapy programs.

Kristen Banahan, MS, CCC-SLP, and Claire Brack, MS, CF-SLP, are both certified providers for the SPEAK OUT! therapy program. In addition, Brack is a certified provider with the LSVT LOUD therapy program. Both programs can be very beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

The SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program, developed by Parkinson Voice Project, is a research- and evidence-based program helping individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This comprehensive program combines individual speech therapy with education and ongoing group support.

“Up to 90 percent of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of losing their ability to speak. In addition, swallowing complications account for 70 percent of the mortality rate in this patient population. Our vision at Parkinson Voice Project is to make quality speech therapy accessible to people with Parkinson’s worldwide,” said Samantha Elandary, Parkinson Voice Project’s founder and chief executive officer.

LSVT LOUD is an evidence-based voice/speech therapy program designed to improve vocal loudness, articulation, intonation, and intelligibility. It was initially developed for people with Parkinson’s disesase, but, because it is based on principles of neural plasticity and motor learning, it can be applied to other adult and pediatric neurological conditions as well. The LSVT LOUD therapy program is individualized for each person and utilizes high respiratory and phonatory effort to improve speech function in a healthy way, resulting in a normal loudness, good quality voice.  The one-month program is administered through private patient sessions.

“LSVT LOUD  is a very successful program for those with Parkinson’s disease, and can help the patient to experience improved quality of life,” Brack said.

The LSVT LOUD improves both the voice and speech of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Treatment focusses on improving vocal loudness and immediate carryover into daily communication, enabling patients to maintain or improve their oral communication.

Both SPEAK OUT!  and LSVT LOUD  therapy are typically covered by Medicare and private insurance companies as speech therapy. Both are research-proven in helping Parkinson’s Disease patients, and may also be beneficial and insurance may cover for some patients with other medical conditions.

JCH&L Sport Medicine and Rehab Services is committed to serving its Parkinson’s community by offering the SPEAK OUT!  and LSVT LOUD therapy programs. Provider referral is required for both programs. For more information, contact JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services at 402-729-6840.