Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease : What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment UK?
LSVT loud ® stands for Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is a evidence based Speech and Language Therapy technique that improves loudness for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Originally Published in 2023 but updated in 2025 to fully reflect latest information for voice therapy
What Is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) in the UK?
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) is an evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy programme designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease improve voice loudness, clarity, and communication confidence.
Developed in the USA and now widely used in the UK, LSVT LOUD® retrains the brain and body to use a stronger, clearer voice. Research also shows benefits for people with other neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Speech and Language Therapists offering this programme must complete specialist LSVT LOUD® certification training and an exam to deliver it effectively.
How Can Parkinson’s Disease Affect Speech?
Parkinson’s disease can affect the voice and speech muscles, leading to changes such as:
Speaking too quietly or softly
Monotone speech with little variation in pitch
Hoarse, breathy, or weak voice
Mumbled or unclear articulation
Reduced facial expression or emotion while speaking
Many people with Parkinson’s don’t realise their voice has become quieter, due to reduced sensory awareness.
In therapy, we recalibrate your awareness of loudness, helping you project your voice naturally and confidently.
Improving speech can also boost confidence, social interaction, and emotional wellbeing.
How does LSVT LOUD® help people with Parkinson’s disease?
LSVT LOUD® focuses on the principle of “Think Loud!”
It helps retrain the brain to produce a louder, more powerful voice through structured, high-effort speech exercises.
The programme includes:
1 assessment session to establish a baseline
16 therapy sessions (4 per week for 4 weeks)
Each session lasts 60 minutes
Daily home practice to reinforce progress
Research also shows improvements in swallowing and voice quality for people with Parkinson’s.
How effective is LSVT LOUD and how long do results last?
LSVT LOUD® has decades of research showing improved loudness, clarity, and confidence in speech. Results can last 1–2 years or longer with regular practice and occasional refresher sessions with your Speech and Language Therapist.
Can Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) be done Online?
Yes — online LSVT LOUD® therapy is clinically proven to be as effective as in-person sessions.
Virtual therapy allows you to receive specialist, intensive treatment from home, which can be especially helpful for those with mobility challenges.
We use secure video platforms such as Zoom, allowing you to record your voice for real-time feedback. Many clients find online therapy more accessible and motivating, fitting seamlessly into their daily routine.
Do you have a waiting list?
No - you can be seeing within one week of your consultation.
Why Choose The Speech Network?
Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, each with a minimum of 12 years’ experience. They currently work, or have previously worked, as Senior Voice Therapists within the NHS.
All our therapists are fully registered and accredited, including:
Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
Members of the British Voice Association
Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.
Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice & Neurology with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice & Neurology Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) .
Can Dysarthria be treated?
Dysarthria is the medical term for slurred speech. Treatment depends on the cause of the Dysarthria. If Dysarthria is caused by a stroke or head injury, it can improve with Online Speech Therapy. If it caused by a neurological disorder that can become worse over time (a progressive disorder), such as Motor Neurone Disease, it is likely to get worse. However, Speech Therapy can support with strategies and assistive devices in these circumstances.
Dysarthria is the medical term for slurred speech. Speech Therapy Treatment for Dyarthria depends on the cause of the Dysarthria. If Dysarthria is caused by a stroke or head injury, it can improve with Speech Therapy. If it caused by a neurological disorder, that worsens over time (a progressive disorder), such as Motor Neurone Disease, it is likely to get worse. However, in these circumstances, Speech Therapy can also support you with strategies and assistive devices.
For Dysarthria due to Parkinson’s disease, there are recommended intensive treatments called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) or Speak out! We have trained and certified clinicians that can provide both treatments.
What Assessments do you use in Dysarthria?
We typically start treatment with a standardised assessment for Dysarthria. These assessments look at different aspects of your speech such as your breath support for speech, volume, intonation, voice and how clear your speech is to a listener. It is important to complete an assessment to identify the areas that are impacting on your speech so that we can focus on improving these specific impairments.
What is Goal setting in Dysarthria?
We discuss with you how your Dysarthria is impacting on your day-to-day life and set personal meaningful goals to improve your speech. Goal setting is proven to improve motivation for therapy and mood. These goals will be realistic, achievable and will be reviewed after a short block of therapy.
Dysarthria Therapy may include
- Working with you and your loved ones to make communication easier
- Exercises focusing on improving the clarity of your speech
- Alternative ways of communication to support your speech
- Biofeedback of recordings to raise your awareness of your speech
Our Speech and Language Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Dysarthria & Voice treatments. Arrange a free 15 minute consultation or email thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com
What is Speak out! What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD)?
Speak out and LSVT Loud are intensive Speech Therapy treatments for Parkinsons disease focusing on improving voice and volume. They both have a strong evidence that they are effective treatments.
What is Speak Out! ® & Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) loud for Parkinson’s Disease?
Speak out ! ® and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud) ® are intensive Speech Therapy treatments for Parkinson’s disease focusing on improving voice and volume. They both have a strong evidence that they are effective treatments. Both are seen as the best Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. Certification is provided to Speech and Language Therapists following a training program. Our Speech and Language Therapists are certified in both treatment Techniques and have experience of providing these treatments online with effective results.
How can Parkinson’s Disease affect speech?
Parkinson’s disease can cause people to talk quietly, have reduced variation in pitch and a hoarse voice. People with Parkinson’s Disease are often not aware that they are talking quietly - we need to work with you to recaliberate your sensory feedback to raise your awareness of your loudness, improve voice projection and reduce effort in conversation.
What is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT loud)® for Parkinson’s Disease ?
LSVT loud ® stands for Lee Silverman Voice Technique. It is a technique that improves loudness for people with Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown it can also be used in a variety of neurological conditions to improve Speech.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment ® (LSVT Loud) focuses on increasing loudness. Research has also shown improvements in swallowing and articulation. LSVT requires an assessment session, and 12 therapy sessions, at 60 minutes each.
What is Speak Out® for Parkinson’s Disease ?
Speak out! was developed by the Parkinson’s Disease Project. It focuses on producing a stronger, clearer voice. It focuses on the concept of intent and strengthens the muscles used for speaking. Speak out! ® requires 8-10 sessions, at 45 minutes each. It can be easier for people to fit Speak out! ® into their daily life, and it can reduce overall cost of treatment. Speak out! provided a free training workbook for clients.
Once treatment is complete, the Parkinson’s Disease project hold LOUD crowd groups and free Facebook practice sessions. This is important in maintaining the gains in therapy.
We offer both SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT loud ® with certified clinicians
Click on the contact us button to arrange a free consultation or send us an email for more information regarding our reasonable fees for Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease.