Voice Enhancement for PSP Patient?

[Anonymous]

My father-in-law has PSP. The PSP has drastically reduced his ability to modulate his voice and we have a difficult time hearing what he is saying. He can get the words out but cannot make them loud enough. Do you know of any voice enhancer or portable microphone that has worked for Parkinsons and PSP patients that we could get to make communicating easier for him?

Thank you very much.

[CBassich]

In order to help you, I assume that your father has Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (not Parkinsons Disease)???

Voice Enhancement can help communication for a short amount of time. It will not help if your father is not pronouncing words - Amplification devices are effective if the problem is just the soft, inaudible voice. If articulation is slurred or mumbled, the device will simply amplify slurred and mumbled speech.

If you decide voice amplification is right for your father-in-law, you need to consider the cost, time it will be effective, and make sure you purchase a system that will amplify your father-in-law's voice so you can hear him.

I would recommend a wireless system - as this new technology has the greatest power or amplification (about 20 dB), and there is more flexibility regarding where you place the amplifier. However, these devices are the most expensive.

NPF does not endorse any particular product. However, here is a website to a company that sells wireless voice amplification systems:
SoniVox by Griffin Laboratories Manufacturers
www.griffinlab.com

In comparison, there are some less expensive models, but they are not wireless. Therefore they have less flexibility in that listeners have to be close to where the speaker is located (because the microphone is attached by a wire to the amplifier). Also, they has less power or amplification (only 10 to 12 db instead of 20 dB). Here are some less expensive amplifiers but they do not amplify the speech as much as a wireless system:

Chattervox
http://www.chattervox.com/

Luminaud
Including:
Rand Amplifier
Voicette Amplifier
Megavox
http://www.luminaud.com/amplifier.htm

I encourage you to "shop around" , compare cost, and see what feels right for your father-in-law. Remember to consider cost and how long your father will benefit from amplification of his voice. Also, if his voice is extremely soft, the listeners may not benefit from a device that only provides 10 to 12 dB of amplification.

I hope this provides some guidance. Feel free to let me know if you have further questions.

Celia Bassich, PhD, CCC-SLP
Faculty Member, Allied Team Training for Parkinson Disease