The Voice – Mary’s Blog
You Are What You Say: our language use tells on us
As Americans gear up for the final weeks leading up to the presidential election, an assortment of rants, insults, name calling and other forms of verbal abuse will likely continue to be a part of the political landscape, representing a change in cultural norms that...
Could You Speak Clearer in One Office Visit?
A new patient asked: "am I coming to see you to find out how bad my voice is?" "NO," I replied, "you're coming to find out how good it could be!" Research has shown us that vocal behavior is hierarchically organized and that different speech activities engage...
Do You Vote by Mail? Will Parkinson’s let your signature pass?
When seeing a patient for the first time, or for an annual re-assessment, they are required to sign a form, with four signature lines. If a patient has Parkinson’s disease, they will usually state that their handwriting is “horrible,” and rarely, if ever, do all four...
One Piece of Advice from People Living with Parkinson’s
Our weekly LOUD Crowd group of 14 people is as diverse a group of people you could have. Although all have a medical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or a related diagnosis such as PSP, no two people look alike, sound alike, have the same motor or non-motor symptoms,...
Speech or Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s: which one should you do?
When a patient with Parkinson’s disease is referred for a speech therapy evaluation, it's common for them to have a referral for Physical therapy as well, and so they will ask: “which should I do?” My answer would be both, but perhaps not at the same time, and the...
Attention and Intention: how are you spending your cognitive wealth?
Researchers have shown that when voice patients were required to speak on a specific subject and at the same time self-monitor some aspect of voice that they were trying to change, modify, or improve, the degree of cognitive effort could easily distract the patient...
NEW! Voice Aerobics Travel Pack voice practice goes where you go!
Hi, everyone, I’m excited to tell you about a new option for taking speech and voice practice wherever you go. Over the last few years computers have gotten smaller and lighter and because of that many of them no longer have CD-DVD players. So, I’ve taken my...
Anger, Pessimism, and Pulmonary Health
In a study published in Thorax in 2006, researchers set out to test the hypothesis that hostility contributes to faster rates of decline in lung function among older adults.[i] Hostility and anger are considered risk factors for, or to co-occur with, many health...
Throat Clearing: a symptom or a habit?
Over many years of evaluating and treating patients with a voice impairment, throat clearing is the most common accompanying behaviors, and one of the most irritating to the vocal folds. So why do patients do it? “I have phlegm,” “mucus,” “there’s something there,”...
Diaphragmatic Strengthening for Breathing and Posture
Research has unveiled some important associations between bad posture and health issues. Age related degenerative changes in the spine can contribute to a stooped posture, and a tendency to bend or flex forward is also the most common change in posture seen with...
Mary Spremulli of Voice Aerobics writes a monthly news article in the “Healthy Body” section of Florida Weekly
- July 2018, Healthy Hearing and Speech, cover story – Healthy Body, “Florida Weekly’s monthly guide for healthy people inside and out”
- July 2018 article – Augmented feedback and skill learning help patients recalibrate
Home Programs & Training:
- Voice Aerobics® – 3-Part Workout
- SpeechVive Device for Persons with Parkinson’s
- Lingraphica® Aphasia Communication Device
- Constant Therapy App for aphasia
- Computerized Home Aphasia Therapy Program (CHAT®)
- Passy-Muir® Tracheostomy and Ventilator Swallowing and Speaking Valve
SpeechVive Device for Persons with Parkinson’s
Ask me about your VA benefit for this device!
SPEAK OUT!® Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s patients
Mary Spremulli is Certified in:
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Treatment (LMRVT) Neurodevelopmental Treatment
A Certified Member of 