Speech Amplification Devices for Parkinson Disease: Talker- and Technology-Driven Enhancements

NCT07599696 | Recruiting

• 3 other identifiers: 00008898R21DC021798CurePSP CARES Grant - Knowles
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The proposed research aims to investigate the use of speech amplification devices as a potential treatment option for people with Parkinson's disease and related disorders who exhibit hypophonia, a voice disorder that affects over half of those with Parkinson's disease. By characterizing the acoustic and perceptual effects of speech amplification and identifying ways to optimize outcomes through talker- and device-specific enhancements, this project seeks to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment options for hypophonia. The current proposal will move this effort forward by systematically eliciting and modifying speech amplification device output that leverage both behavioral and technological approaches.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Atypical Parkinsonism

Keywords

speech; Parkinson's disease; atypical parkinsonism; speech acoustics; speech-language pathology; hypophonia; voice; voice disorders; speech disorders; dysarthria

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Speech intensity

  Decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL) measured from speech audio recordings

  Day 1

• Voice quality

  Cepstral peak prominence smoothed (CPPS), measured in decibels (dB) from speech audio recordings

  Day 1

• Articulation

  Quadrilateral vowel articulation index, measured as a composite of first and second formants in Herz (Hz) across four vowels in speech audio recordings.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Speech intelligibility

  From end of speech study enrollment to within 1 year. Perceptual measures are elicited from naive listeners following the speech recording study.

• Perceived Listener Effort

  From end of speech study enrollment to within 1 year. Listener effort will be elicited from naive listeners following the speech recording study.

Study Arms (1)

Speech Study

EXPERIMENTAL

Single arm study: All speech conditions are administered.

Behavioral: Behavioral speech strategies + speech amplification

Interventions

Behavioral speech strategies + speech amplification BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral speech strategies + speech amplification

Speech Study

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Dominant speakers of North American English
• Have received a neurologist's diagnosis of Parkinson disease or parkinsonism (e.g., PSP/MSA/PSP)
• Present with changes in their speech/voice

You may not qualify if:

• History of any other speech, language, or neurological concern other than Parkinson/parkinsonism.
• Uncorrected hearing loss that exceeds a threshold of 40 dB HL in more than one ear (as per baseline screening audiometry) and/or use of a cochlear implant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Michigan State University: lead
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan, 48823, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Speech; Voice Disorders; Speech Disorders; Dysarthria

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Verbal Behavior; Communication; Behavior; Laryngeal Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Language Disorders; Communication Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Articulation Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Thea Knowles, PhD

CONTACT

517-353-6401; thea@msu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 20, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2028
• Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

US (1)