Slurred or unclear speech,  speaking too slowly or speaking too fast, having trouble forming words or sounds, speaking in a monotone voice, or stuttering when speaking can make it difficult for people to communicate their message.

Changes to speech can be due to a progressive neurodegenerative condition such as Parkinson's disease, Motor Neurone Disease or Multiple Sclerosis; a neurological event such as a stroke or a traumatic brain injury; or a brain tumour.  

If you have changes to your speech or people are having difficulty understanding you, we can help….

Accents are a natural part of spoken language. It is the unique way that groups of people who speak the same language sound. However, if English is your second language, you may find that your accent can make it difficult for people to understand you. This can cause frustration especially if you are asked to repeat yourself a lot.  

It is important to note that having an accent is not a speech or language disorder, however, sometimes people may wish to improve how well they are understood.

Speak to us if you wish to improve your confidence, employment opportunities, and presentation skills at school or university.

When a person has a voice disorder their voice may sound soft, weak, breathy, rough, strained, or hoarse. There may also be pitch changes or voice breaks.

Voice impairments can be caused by a number of factors including smoking, reflux, asthma, voice overuse, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, ageing, respiratory illness, surgical trauma, and a chronic cough.

If you have noticed sudden or gradual changes to your voice that are influencing your ability to communicate, talk to us..

How we speak, listen, understand, read, write, and interact with others can be affected by a range of conditions. Stroke, brain tumours, neurosurgery, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative brain diseases can impact one of more of these areas making it difficult to successfully communicate with others. Called Aphasia, this usually occurs when damage occurs on the left-hand side of the brain.

A Cognitive Communication disorder is another communication impairment that can result from stroke, brain injury, brain tumour or dementia. Often one or more cognitive processes are affected including for example attention, memory, judgement, language, problem solving, and how quickly you think or understand information.

When you have a problem with one or more of these cognitive functions it impacts on how well you can safely perform activities of daily living as well as communicate effectively.  

If you or someone you know has been impacted by aphasia or changes to their communication, please call us for a chat...

Dysphagia is the medical term for trouble swallowing. Dysphagia is usually a symptom of a disease and it is usually in response to food, drink or saliva. Signs of dysphagia can include: taking longer to finish meals, difficulty chewing, food falling out of the front of the mouth, coughing, choking, shortness of breath, or repeat chest infections.

Risks associated with dysphagia include aspiration (food and/or drink entering the lungs), malnutrition, dehydration and weight loss. They may also include an inability to take medication, hunger, thirst, loss of dignity or quality of life.

The underlying causes of dysphagia are many and may include: stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g Parkinson's disease, MND, MS), brain tumours, respiratory illness such as COPD or emphysema, radiation treatment to the neck or mouth, ageing, oesophageal conditions such as dysmotility, anxiety, dementia, and end of life.  

There is no need to let swallowing difficulties impact your quality of life, call us to discuss how we can help you…

When we cough it is usually the body's reaction to an irritant in the throat or airway such as mucus, reflux, dust, food or drink. We cough to protect our lungs from things going down the wrong way or to clear phlegm from the airway. There are many types of coughs - for example an acute cough that comes on suddenly and lasts for 2-3 weeks may be due to a chest infection. A chronic cough,  however,  is a cough that lasts more than eight weeks.  

A chronic cough can be mildly irritating or it can be severe causing the people around you to notice and comment on it. It can impact your quality of life, sleep quality, and cause stress incontinence.  Chronic cough can alter the sound of your voice and make it difficult for you to talk. 

Talk to us about the best approach to managing chronic cough…