Our internationally recognized team is dedicated to delivering compassionate, innovative care to people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Starting with a comprehensive assessment, our expert team ensures we have a thorough understanding of your individual symptoms to offer you the right diagnosis and the latest, most effective treatment options available.
To schedule an appointment, please call the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders at 513-475-8730.
SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd Program
The SPEAK OUT!® & The LOUD Crowd® program is designed for patients with Parkinson’s disease and works to move the control of speech from a subconscious level to a conscious level through exercises targeting both vocal function and speech clarity.
Our Capabilities
At UC Health, our team offers a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This means that our subspecialty trained physicians, nurses, social workers and therapists, including speech language pathologists are all working closely together to provide each patient with the best treatment plan possible. We also have the ability to use complementary exercises and tools to maximize therapeutic effects whenever possible.
Compassionate Healing Starts Here
Click below to learn more about where you can find compassionate care.
At UC Health, we know how critical your voice and your ability to swallow is to your everyday life. Our team of subspecialists have deep expertise in the injuries and conditions that affect the voice and swallowing, and use the latest research to deliver the best treatments and therapies. We also know how important your voice is to your identity — that’s why we offer transgender voice therapy for those who wish to modify their voice and speaking.
To schedule an appointment, please call the UC Health Voice & Swallowing team at 513-475-8400.
Help Along the Way
Answers to Your Questions about SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd program
The SPEAK OUT! voice therapy program is designed for patients with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions. The program focuses on moving the control of speech from an automatic function to an intentional task through exercises targeting both vocal function and speech clarity. The program also incorporates cognitive and memory tasks at every level to help improve a patient’s multitasking and thinking skills.
Once the therapy portion of the program is complete, the patient then transitions to a LOUD Crowd group, which provides continued practice to maintain the skills learned in therapy.
The SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd program was developed by the Parkinson’s Voice Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the speech and communication of patients living with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological disorders through continuous speech therapy, follow-up support, research, education and community awareness.
The overall goal of the SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd program is to help patients with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions increase functional volume and clarity as well as the ability to think and talk.
SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd program can help anyone who is experiencing difficulty with speech and communication issues as a result of Parkinson’s disease or a related neurological condition.
Parkinson’s disease disrupts the feedback loop between the brain and respiratory or articulatory systems. This results in a patient’s speech over time becoming quieter, more mumbled and more difficult to understand while the patient feels he or she is speaking as clearly and as loudly as they normally would.
Parkinson’s disease also causes reduced intonation and expression of emotion while speaking.
Group or “crowd” speech sessions are designed to encourage camaraderie and continued practice with others living with Parkinson’s disease-related speech impairments.
The SPEAK OUT! & The LOUD Crowd program uses similar voice therapy principles as LSVT, however, it offers more flexibility with scheduling and incorporates cognitive exercises into each task.
Why UC Health
Experience and Expertise
Speech and Swallowing Therapy Experts
Our speech and swallowing therapists receive training specific to Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions.
Unparalleled Experience
With more Parkinson’s disease experts at UC Health than anywhere else in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we draw on our vast resources to continuously improve and innovate.
Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy
We combine speech and swallowing therapy with exercise therapy specifically designed to benefit patients with Parkinson’s disease and help make treatment more effective.
Partner with Us
Referring Physicians: Success and Provider Toolbox
We are committed to providing optimal care to your patient and open communication with you. We understand that as a referring physician, you need to be kept informed on your patient’s progress. That’s why we set up a toolbox to share detailed information about your patient’s health with you.
For referral information, call:
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At UC Health, we lead the region in scientific discoveries and embrace a spirit of purpose – offering our patients and their families something beyond everyday healthcare. At UC Health, we offer hope.