Archive for the Main Blog Category

Clinician Spotlight: Michelle Haub, Special Programs Leader & Parkinson’s Program Director

We are thriled to spotlight Michelle Haub this National Speech Language Hearing Month. Michelle’s accomplishments for the Parkinson’s community speak for themselves. As a person, Michelle is energetic, caring, creative, deeply dedicated, and passionate about her work. She is driven by service and the desire to improve the lives of people living with communication disorders.

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Comparing LSVT LOUD and EMST: Clinical Insights Into Speech and Swallowing Outcomes in Parkinson’s

People with Parkinson’s Disease often have trouble swallowing and speaking. This can lead to serious problems like choking, chest infections or not getting enough nutrition as well as occupational and social impacts. This study shows that both LSVT LOUD and EMST are safe and manageable for people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease. This study also shows that both LSVT LOUD and EMST can help swallowing, voice and cough, but in different ways. So, people with Parkinson’s disease and their clinicians can choose the right therapy for their needs or use both complimentarily.

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Celebrating Speech-Language-Hearing Month: LSVT Global’s Role in the Speech Accessibility Project

May marks Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a time to recognize the transformative power of communication and the professionals who make it accessible for all. This year, LSVT Global is proud to spotlight our team’s pivotal involvement in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Speech Accessibility Project–a groundbreaking initiative that is changing the landscape of speech technology for individuals with disordered speech.

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The Origin of the LSVT LOUD® “AHHH” and Why it is NOT the Goal of Treatment

Have you ever wondered why LSVT LOUD therapy seems to involve so much “AHHH”-ing? If you’ve participated in or observed this therapy, you’ve likely witnessed the bountiful number of sustained “AHHHs” that are a cornerstone of each session. But why all the focus on this simple sound? And more importantly, is exercising the voice with “AHHH” really the end goal of this therapeutic approach? (Spoiler alert: it’s not!)

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The Problem of Underdosing Therapy and Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease

Physical and Occupational Therapists play a critical role in managing neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, a growing concern is underdosing— providing insufficient exercise intensity, duration, or frequency—leading to suboptimal outcomes. 

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Beyond the Clinic: Will Everyday Listeners Notice the Speech Improvements After LSVT LOUD® for Parkinson’s Disease?

Your client with Parkinson’s disease (PD) significantly improved their speech in the treatment room and the research lab following LSVT LOUD. Will these improvements be perceived by untrained listeners who are naïve to speech disorders and PD?

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New Study Explores LSVT LOUD® for Adults with Cerebral Palsy

A 2025 study by Kim and colleagues investigated the effectiveness of LSVT LOUD® – a voice therapy program originally designed for people with Parkinson’s disease – for adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The research tested both in-person and telehealth versions of the extended LSVT-X protocol (16 session over 8 weeks, read original study by Spielman et al., 2007). Outcome measures focused on voice and speech, swallowing, and quality of life. The study included 16 adults with CP, ranging from mild to profound speech impairments.

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What the 2024 LSVT LOUD® & LSVT BIG® Research Means for You

The year 2024 marked a milestone in advancing the scientific understanding of LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG therapies. These evidence-based treatments, designed to improve communication and motor function in individuals with neurological conditions, saw a remarkable surge in research publications.

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Stop Dreaming, Start Doing: Why LSVT Certification Can’t Wait

I will never forget the first time that I felt “Wow – I can really change someone’s life with speech treatment” was during my Clinical Fellow year when I was hired to deliver LSVT LOUD as part of Dr. Lorraine Ramig’s research team. It blew me away and I knew this was the type of treatment effect that I wanted to spend my life delivering. 

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2024 Highlights: The Most-Watched LSVT Global Webinars of the Year

Reflecting on 2024, let’s explore the webinars that captured everyone’s attention and kept them coming back for more.
We will highlight the top viewed webinars in each of our categories: LSVT® Community Webinars, LSVT LOUD® Certified Clinician Webinars, and LSVT BIG® Certified Clinician Webinars.

Set aside a moment to explore these highly-rated webinars!

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