July 2025 Voicing Newsletter

Written By esther Verbovszky

This Month’s Focus: The Feedback System & the Gut-Brain Connection in Parkinson’s Disease

The Feedback Loop: Why It Matters in Voicing

Many individuals with Parkinson’s experience a weakened or soft voice, often without realizing it. That’s because the internal feedback system—the way we monitor and adjust our own speech—can become impaired.

What is the feedback system?

  • It’s how we hear, feel, and interpret our own voice

  • It helps regulate volume, clarity, and rhythm of speech

  • In Parkinson’s, this system may give false signals, making a quiet voice feel “just right” to the speaker

Tools and techniques to support voice feedback:

  • Voice amplifier devices

  • Speech therapy exercises focused on projection and articulation

  • Recording and playback tools to rebuild awareness and confidence

The Gut-Brain Connection: An Overlooked Link in Parkinson’s

New research continues to explore how gut health and microbiome diversity may affect neurological conditions like Parkinson’s—including voice changes.

What we’re learning:

  • Early signs of Parkinson’s often start in the gut, with issues like constipation or bloating

  • The vagus nerve—which influences both digestion and vocal motor control—may play a key role in disease progression

  • Gut inflammation may impact neural pathways that influence speech, mood, and energy

Supportive habits for gut-brain health:

Eat fiber-rich foods (vegetables, oats, berries)

  • Stay hydrated throughout the day

  • Consider probiotic foods (like kefir, sauerkraut, or yogurt—if tolerated)

  • Work with a provider familiar with Parkinson’s nutrition to tailor a safe and effective plan

New Research Highlight: Voice Strength Through Whole-Body Wellness

In a 2025 study published in the Journal of Neurological Voice & Movement, individuals with Parkinson’s who followed gut-health protocols alongside voice therapy saw more sustained vocal improvements than those receiving voice therapy alone.

“The voice is a whole-body system. When we support the gut and the brain, we also support expression and confidence.”

Final Thought

At the Star Center Foundation, we believe that your voice is your power—and taking a whole-body approach to voicing, nutrition, and neurological care can make all the difference.

Whether you're a person living with Parkinson’s, a caregiver, or a healthcare provider—let’s rise and roar, together.

esther Verbovszky
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June Voicing Newsletter