Volume 5, Issue 1, Winter 2023
Ask the Specialist: Six Tips for Communication After a Brain Injury
by Jessica Lynn Danley
Clinical Education Coordinator
University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic
Ordering food from a drive-thru restaurant, chatting with friends in a noisy lobby, and talking to family over the phone. These are all common social routines that rely on good communication skills. A brain injury can cause speech challenges that make communication and socializing harder. After a brain injury, it is common to have speech struggles like “slurred” speech, low volume, speech that is too fast or too slow, and mumbling.
Learning to use speaking tools and changing the environment can lead to easier conversations. If you are having trouble with clear speech after a brain injury, here are some tips that may help:
1. Slow Down. Slow down your speaking rate and place longer pauses between words.
2. Pace Yourself. Talking for long periods of time can lead to voice strain and use more effort or energy. This extra effort can also cause fatigue, which can in turn affect the clearness of speech. Take breaks to recharge.
3. Over-Articulate and Break It Down. Practice over-articulating the sounds of each word. This means that you will practice exaggerating each sound in a word. You can also break down longer words into smaller pieces. Words can even be broken down syllable-by-syllable to make them easier to understand.
4. Consider Your Environment. How loud or distracting is the current environment? Try to reduce the noise or move your conversation to a quieter location. Is the room well-lit? Check to see if your listener can see your face as you speak because visual clues can be helpful.
5. Practice With Others. Join a local community support group for a chance to practice new speaking habits in a supportive environment. Share your goals and ask for feedback from others.
6. See a Speech Therapist. Some people need special strategies to help them overcome speech issues. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are health care professionals who can listen to your speech and offer helpful treatment options for your speech troubles. Ask your primary care physician (PCP) for more information.
Resources
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria/
https://www.brainline.org/article/communication-effects-after-brain-injury