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Speech is one of the many abilities affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Over time, the nerves controlling muscles involved in talking, breathing, and swallowing weaken. Changes to speech often develop gradually and can be subtle at first. Friends and family often attribute slurring or fatigue to stress or tiredness. Identifying small changes as soon as they appear helps you stay in control of your communication for longer. The earlier you access speech and language therapy support, the more time you have to put strategies in place to maintain your independence for longer.
Slurred or mumbled speech
Minor slurring of words can be one of the first speech signs of MND. Words that used to be crisp and clear may begin to sound mushed together. Friends may notice that you slur at the end of sentences or towards the end of the day. This is because the muscles you use to articulate words are starting to weaken.
Initially, this slurring may be intermittent. You may find yourself deliberately slowing down or repeating yourself to help others understand you. Making these adjustments can help you for a while, but they are not sustainable long-term solutions. Furthermore, speech therapy can provide exercises and tips to help you slow down before the problem starts.
Weak voice or struggling to project your voice
Have you noticed that your voice doesn’t sound as strong as it used to? You may find yourself struggling to project your voice or speaking more softly overall. If your voice tends to “run out” before you finish talking, this could also be an early sign.
This loss of volume often occurs because the respiratory muscles are also weakening. Breathing assists with voice projection, so as this becomes more labour-intensive, speaking loudly can feel exhausting. Techniques to help you conserve your voice will be discussed later.
Struggling to pronounce words
Slowing down your speech is one way to combat early speech changes. However, you may also experience challenges with pronouncing certain words. Your words may feel slower to coordinate. Sounds that require a lot of movement from the tongue or lips may be more difficult to articulate.
Sentences may start to feel more laboured. You may need longer pauses to collect your thoughts and ensure you’re saying the word correctly. Speech therapists can work with you to help you find other ways to manage these symptoms.
Speech fatigue
Speech fatigue is another common early sign that both individuals and family members report. You may find that you start great, but speaking for long periods makes you tired, and your speech begins to slur. Having multiple conversations throughout the day may leave you feeling exhausted by dinner time.
Becoming familiar with what speech fatigue feels like allows you to plan your day better. Trying to have important conversations when you’re tired will likely leave you feeling frustrated. Taking frequent breaks will allow you to speak for longer without feeling fatigued. Speech therapists can also provide tips to help you save your voice.
Reduced sentence length
Because speech is closely linked to breathing, many people notice a decrease in sentence length. You may find yourself having to pause more frequently to catch your breath mid-sentence. Some people also experience feelings of breathlessness when speaking.
It can be scary when your speech starts to feel laboured. However, the sooner you are familiar with these changes, the sooner you can learn to manage them. Speech therapists can work with you to teach breathing techniques and pacing strategies.
Impact on your emotions
We use our voice to connect with the people we love. We speak to express our needs, participate in social events, and maintain our independence. Many people with MND place a lot of importance on their ability to communicate.
These early speech changes may make you self-conscious or worried that others won’t understand you. Things that used to be easy can start to feel like a strain. Some people choose to avoid conversation altogether to minimise the frustration.
Acknowledging these emotions allows you to take control of the situation. Arriving at these changes early allows you to have those difficult conversations with friends and family early. Therapy can also help you find alternative ways to communicate should your speech continue to change.
When to see a speech therapist
Should occasional slurring or speech fatigue be cause for concern? If your speech problems are persistent, worsening, or starting to impact your daily life, please seek professional advice. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but your speech therapist can also start providing techniques to help you prepare for the changes ahead.
Speech therapists will work with you to identify areas of weakness. Together, you can work on strategies to maintain your current speech levels and delay symptom progression.
Nobody plans for their speech to change, but knowing the early signs can help you take action. Armed with knowledge and the right strategies, you can overcome the communication obstacles MND throws your way. Professionals are available throughout the UK. Ensuring you have access to the right services, such as speech therapy in Lambeth, can allow you to feel confident about the future.