
A stroke can cause a wide range of communication problems, including speaking, reading, writing, and understanding others. Language impairment after a stroke is common, with approximately one-third of survivors experiencing challenges. The brain controls language, so when a stroke occurs and the brain is injured, the survivor can experience speech impairment if the portion of the brain responsible for communication is damaged. This can manifest as aphasia, dysarthria, dysphonia, or dyspraxia, all of which can cause changes in voice and speech.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Language impairment | Common |
Speech impairment | Common |
Communication problems | Speaking, understanding speech, being unable to talk |
Speech impairment causes | Injury to the brain, damage to the face, tongue or mouth muscles |
Types of speech impairment | Aphasia, Dysarthria, Dyspraxia of speech |
Aphasia | Most common language disorder, can affect how one speaks, reads, and writes |
Dysarthria | Weakened muscles used for speaking |
Dyspraxia of speech | Inability to move the muscles required for speaking in the correct sequence |
Voice dysfunction | Hoarse, breathy voice |
Swallowing difficulties | Occasional |
Treatment options | Comprehensive assessment from a Speech and Language Therapist |
Dysphonia | Disorders of the voice, such as speech impairment, hoarseness, or weakness of voice |
Affected vowels | /a/, /u/, /i/ and /ae/ |
What You'll Learn
Speech impairment
Aphasia is a language disorder that can affect how one speaks, reads, and writes, as well as their ability to understand others when talking. It does not impact intelligence. Dysarthria occurs when the muscles used for speaking are weakened, such as the lips, mouth, vocal cords, or tongue, resulting in difficulty speaking clearly or a change in voice. Dyspraxia of speech happens when an individual is unable to move the muscles required for speaking in the correct sequence consistently, affecting their ability to pronounce words clearly or speak at all.
Dysphonia refers to disorders of the voice, including speech impairment, hoarseness, or weakness of voice. It can adversely affect communication and social activities, causing difficulties in everyday life. After a stroke, there may be a decrease in vocal fold movement and weakness in the muscles associated with vocalization, impairing respiration, sound-making, and vocal stability. Dysphonia can result in a hoarse, breathy voice, and patients may also experience swallowing difficulties, coughing, and choking, especially when drinking liquids.
Speech therapy and rehabilitation are crucial for stroke survivors experiencing speech impairment. Treatment options include comprehensive assessments by Speech and Language Therapists, who will create tailored treatment plans to aid survivors in regaining their communication skills and independence.
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Language impairment
There are three primary speech conditions that can result from a stroke: aphasia, dysarthria, and dyspraxia of speech. Aphasia is the most common language disorder, affecting multiple aspects of language simultaneously, such as speaking, reading, writing, and understanding others. It is important to note that aphasia does not impact a person's intelligence.
Dysarthria occurs when the muscles used for speaking are weakened, including the lips, mouth, vocal cords, or tongue. This can lead to difficulty speaking clearly or a change in voice, such as a hoarse or breathy voice.
Dyspraxia of speech, on the other hand, is not due to muscle weakness but rather the inability to move the muscles required for speaking in the correct sequence. This can affect one's ability to pronounce words clearly or speak at all.
The treatment for language impairment after a stroke typically involves working with a speech and language therapist to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program. This may include a range of speech therapy exercises designed to aid in rewiring the brain and help survivors regain their communication skills and independence.
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Aphasia
There are two broad categories of aphasia: fluent and non-fluent, with several types within these groups.
Fluent Aphasia
Wernicke's aphasia is the most common type of fluent aphasia, caused by damage to the temporal lobe of the brain. People with Wernicke's aphasia may speak in long, complete sentences that have no meaning, adding unnecessary words, or even creating made-up words. They often have trouble understanding the speech of others and may be unaware of their spoken mistakes.
Non-fluent Aphasia
The most common type of non-fluent aphasia is Broca's aphasia, caused by damage that primarily affects the frontal lobe of the brain. People with Broca's aphasia may understand speech and know what they want to say, but they often speak in short phrases that are produced with great effort. They frequently omit small words such as "is," "and," and "the." People with Broca's aphasia typically understand the speech of others fairly well and are often aware of their difficulties, which can lead to frustration.
Global Aphasia
Global aphasia results from damage to extensive portions of the language areas of the brain. Individuals with global aphasia have severe communication difficulties and may be extremely limited in their ability to speak or comprehend language. They may be unable to say more than a few words or may repeat the same words or phrases. They may also have trouble understanding even simple words and sentences.
Treatment for Aphasia
The main treatment for aphasia involves treating the underlying condition, as well as speech and language therapy. Individuals with aphasia relearn and practice language skills and learn to use other ways to communicate. Family members often participate in the process, helping the affected individual communicate.
Recent technologies have provided new tools for people with aphasia, such as "virtual" speech pathologists who provide therapy in the patient's home through a computer. Speech-generating applications on mobile devices can also provide an alternative means of communication for those with speaking difficulties.
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Dysarthria
Treatment for dysarthria typically involves speech therapy, which can help stroke survivors recover their voices and improve their communication skills. Speech therapy exercises focus on strengthening the weakened muscles used for speaking and improving their coordination. Additionally, the use of aids and alternative communication methods may be suggested to facilitate communication.
While most recovery occurs in the first few months after a stroke, improvements can continue for years with practice. Joining support groups or seeking help from a speech pathologist can aid in the rehabilitation process and reduce feelings of isolation caused by communication difficulties.
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Dyspraxia
A stroke can cause language impairment, with approximately one-third of survivors experiencing challenges with speaking or understanding others. This can be caused by damage to the portion of the brain responsible for communication or the area that controls the muscles in the face, tongue, or mouth.
One such speech condition resulting from a stroke is dyspraxia of speech, also known as apraxia. This occurs when the brain has trouble planning the movements necessary for speech, making it difficult to say words. The muscles themselves are not weakened or paralyzed, but the person is unable to move them in the correct sequence consistently. Dyspraxia can affect one's ability to clearly pronounce words or, at times, speak at all.
If you have apraxia, you may hesitate before speaking or speak very slowly. You may also use the wrong amount of force when performing actions, such as banging a mug on a table when putting it down. Additionally, you may move in the wrong way, such as waving your hand back and forth instead of side to side.
Treatment for apraxia typically involves working with a speech pathologist or occupational therapist to develop a rehabilitation program. This may include exercises to improve the accuracy of sound production and the speed and rhythm of speech. Patients may practice using gradually longer and more complex words and sentences. With consistent practice, improvement can continue for years after the stroke.
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Frequently asked questions
Language impairment after a stroke is common, with approximately one-third of survivors experiencing challenges with speaking or understanding speech.
Voice changes can occur when a stroke damages the part of the brain that controls communication or the area that controls the muscles in the face, tongue, or mouth.
A speech-language pathologist will typically assess a patient's talking, listening, reading, writing, and understanding abilities to develop a rehabilitation program.