Voice Therapy Program at Midland

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals provides Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) LOUD Program for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

18 Mar 2022

The voice treatment program is designed to recalibrate the voice, focusing on increasing volume and allowing people to comfortably communicate at home, at work and in the community with a voice and volume that’s easy for others to hear and understand.

LSVT LOUD is considered the global ‘gold standard’ in voice treatment for people with PD, and has shown improvements in loudness and pitch variation for at least two years after treatment*.

Research also has shown LSVT LOUD therapy enhances speech clarity, facial expression and swallowing abilities.** ***

LSVT LOUD is an intensive, one-on-one treatment delivered over a one month period:

One hour sessions
Four sessions per week (in clinic and/or via telehealth).
Four weeks in a row
Daily homework and carryover exercises

To refer patients:

Refer patient to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist for assessment. This is required before the program can commence to ensure the patient is suitable and clear of any laryngeal pathology.

Email referral to [email protected] and copy in [email protected]

For queries: telephone 9462 4727 or email [email protected]

Reference list:

*Ramig, L. O., Sapir, S., Countryman, S., Pawlas, A. A., O'Brien, C., Hoehn, M., & Thompson, L. L. (2001). Intensive voice treatment (LSVT®) for patients with Parkinson's disease: A 2 year follow up. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 71(4), 493-498.

**Mahler, L. A., Ramig, L. O., & Fox, C. (2015). Evidence-based treatment of voice and speech disorders in Parkinson disease. Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, 23(3), 209-215.

***Miles, A., Jardine, M., Johnston, F., de Lisle, M., Friary, P., & Allen, J. (2017). Effect of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) on swallowing and cough in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 383, 180-187.