Why do I need this sheet?
Dysarthria is caused by damage or weakness of the muscles needed for speech. These strategies can be used to maximise your speech.
The environment:
- Reduce background noise.
- Sit close to the listener.
Before you talk:
- Face the listener.
- Take a deep breath.
- Get the listener’s attention.
While you are speaking:
- Use short sentences or key words.
- Speak slowly.
- Take lots of pauses.
- Write key words.
- Use gesture.
- Speak loudly.
After you speak:
- Ask the listener for feedback about your speech. For example ask if they understood you.
- Your speech muscles may be worse when you are tired so rest them.
If you have any questions please contact speech and language therapy on 01223 216 200.
We are smoke-free
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus. For advice and support in quitting, contact your GP or the free NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
Other formats
Help accessing this information in other formats is available. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our patient information help page (see link below) or telephone 01223 256998. www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/accessible-information/
Contact us
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Telephone +44 (0)1223 245151
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/contact-enquiries/