Finding Your Voice Through Song October Newsletter 2026
How singing may support voice and communication in Parkinson’s disease
A favorite song can bring back a memory, brighten a day, and give us a reason to use our voice. For people living with Parkinson’s disease, singing may also offer a meaningful way to support voice practice and connection with others.
When a voice becomes softer or harder to understand, everyday conversations can take more effort. Sharing a story, speaking on the telephone, or joining a family discussion may become frustrating. Researchers are exploring how structured singing can help alongside speech-language therapy.
What does the research tell us?
A small randomized study published in 2023 compared speech therapy, singing, and a combination of the two in people with Parkinson’s disease. The combined approach produced greater improvements in some measures, including participants’ reported voice difficulties and pitch range, than either approach alone. These findings suggest that singing can be a useful addition to treatment.
A 2024 randomized study explored therapeutic group singing, with or without straw phonation—a voice exercise performed through a straw. Researchers reported promising immediate changes in voice quality and mood. Because the study examined a single session, more research is needed to understand how long those benefits last.
Targeted voice therapy also remains important. The larger 2024 PD COMM trial found that people receiving LSVT LOUD reported less impact from Parkinson’s-related voice problems than those receiving usual NHS speech therapy or no speech therapy. Singing may complement this kind of treatment, but it has not been established as a replacement.
Bringing music into voice practice
Therapeutic singing involves more than turning on the radio. A guided program can combine voice exercises, singing, and opportunities to practice communication. A speech-language pathologist can help select activities that match the person’s voice, abilities, and treatment goals.
To make an individualized practice routine more enjoyable:
Choose familiar songs that you look forward to singing.
Ask your therapist which parts of a song fit your voice exercises.
Invite a family member or friend to participate.
Ask whether a guided singing group would be appropriate for you.
The goal is comfortable, purposeful voice use. Avoid forcing high notes or pushing through pain or strain; ask your clinician to adjust activities that feel difficult.
Your voice deserves to be heard
Singing does not guarantee that a voice will be restored. The research does, however, offer encouraging reasons to explore it as part of Parkinson’s voice care.
A familiar melody can provide a welcoming place to begin—one phrase, one song, and one opportunity to connect at a time.
At Star Center Foundation, we believe no one should navigate feeding, swallowing, or voice challenges alone. If changes in your voice are affecting daily life, a speech-language pathologist can help you explore the next steps.