LSVT LOUD Program

LSVT LOUD is an effective speech treatment for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurological conditions. Named for Mrs. Lee Silverman (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment), a woman living with PD, it was developed by Dr. Lorraine Ramig and has been scientifically studied for over 25 years with support from the National Institute for Deafness and other Communication Disorders within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding organizations. LSVT LOUD trains people with PD to use their voice at a more normal loudness level while speaking at home, work, or in the community. Key to the treatment is helping people "recalibrate" their perceptions so they know how loud or soft they sound to other people and can feel comfortable using a stronger voice at a normal loudness level.

While LSVT LOUD treatment has helped people in all stages of PD, the majority of research has been on those in moderate stages of the disease. LSVT LOUD has also helped people with atypical parkinsonisms, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and has recently shown promise for adults with speech issues arising from stroke or multiple sclerosis and children with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. Beginning your work with LSVT LOUD before you've noticed significant problems with voice, speech and communication will often lead to the best results, but it's never too late to start. LSVT LOUD has the potential to produce significant improvements even for people facing considerable communication difficulties.

Today, LSVT LOUD is considered the global “gold standard” for speech treatment for people with PD.

Extensive research on LSVT LOUD has documented that people with PD show improvements in loudness and greater variation in pitch while speaking. These improvements have been shown to be maintained for at least two years post-treatment. Secondary improvements may include better articulation, changes in swallowing, improved facial expressions while talking and even speech-related brain changes. Speech treatments for people with Parkinson's disease have historically been focused on articulation and speech rate and have been given at a low-intensity dosage (e.g., one or two sessions per week for some period of time). LSVT LOUD takes a very different approach, focusing on the singular target of increasing vocal loudness to normal levels and delivering the treatment in an intensive, high-effort manner.

LSVT LOUD is built on three key strategies to make the treatment as effective as possible:

  • TARGET: Vocal Loudness (amplitude)

    • These strategies are consistent with the most effective, evidence-based strategies for learning and neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to change).

  • MODE: Intensive Dosage and High Effort

    • Intensive and high-effort treatment that encourages people to achieve more by always working harder (e.g., “louder, longer”). Sessions are delivered one-on-one and tailored to your individual communication goals.

  • CALIBRATION: Generalization

    • "Recalibrating" sensory feedback so people recognize their new, louder voices are within normal limits. This increases the likelihood that people with PD will feel comfortable with and use their louder voice at home, work and play.

In addition to these key strategies, LSVT LOUD keeps people highly engaged, not only with frequent treatment sessions but also daily assignments for practicing newly learned skills at home and in their communities. Further, LSVT LOUD individualizes treatment exercises to each person’s interests and personal goals for improving communication.

Click the appointment button below to take your first step to a better LOUDer life.