February 03, 2026

Speech changes in Parkinson’s often happen gradually. Many people don’t realize their voice has changed until someone else points it out or they have trouble projecting in everyday situations like phone calls, drive-thrus, work situations, and group conversations. Common speech-related challenges can include:

• Low volume or a softer voice
• Struggling to be heard in noisy environments
• Slurred or unclear speech
• Cognitive strain when multitasking
• Fatigue, frustration, or self-consciousness while speaking

Speech changes aren’t just physical. They can also affect identity, relationships, and participation in everyday life. Avoiding conversations, staying quiet in group settings, or seeking calmer environments because speaking in socially competitive spaces feels exhausting can lead to reduced connection with others and increased isolation.

How Swallowing Changes Affect Speech
For some, speech issues overlap with physical symptoms like saliva management and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), creating an additional barrier to speaking comfortably. Swallowing changes can happen slowly over time, and the signs and symptoms may look different from person to person, but the following are common:

• Muscle stiffness or slowness affecting swallowing
• Reduced coordination between breathing and swallowing
• Dry mouth or low saliva
• Cognitive changes that interfere with swallowing
• Posture challenges that increase aspiration risk

Even when swallowing changes don’t seem directly connected to speech, they can still influence it. Frequent throat clearing, coughing, and unpleasant throat sensations can interrupt the flow of conversation and make speaking more difficult. Some in the Parkinson’s community need to address saliva or swallowing issues before they can even attempt to speak clearly. Reduced coordination between breathing and swallowing affects timing and breath control, which both play an important role in speaking with strength and clarity.

Strategies That Can Help
The most effective approach to improving speech and swallowing is a combination of professional support and consistent habits that strengthen voice, reduce strain, and make communication easier. Try the following:

• Work with a speech-language pathologist early and consistently
  Building good habits as soon as you notice issues will set you up for success and potentially slow the decline.
  
  
• Participate in speech therapy programs
  Evidence-based programs such as LSVT LOUD support vocal strength and clarity to improve and preserve speech.
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice
  Daily voice exercises like vocal warmups, reading aloud, and singing help maintain muscle control and strength, and adding in breathing exercises can further encourage projection.
  
  
• Eat and Drink Safely
  To help reduce swallowing strain, sit upright during meals, choose softer foods, eat slowly, and limit distractions so you can focus on chewing and swallowing efficiently. To learn more, check out this article on how to eat well when swallowing is hard.

Speech and swallowing changes in Parkinson’s can be challenging, but they don’t have to mean avoiding conversation or withdrawing from social events. With the right support, early intervention, and consistent practice, improvement and preservation are possible. If you’re noticing changes in speech or swallowing, speak with your care team about putting together an action plan to keep your voice strong.

To learn more about how to improve speech and swallowing with Parkinson’s, register for our upcoming webcast with Julia Robinson, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 25 years of experience!