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Lesley... I had collagen injections into my vocal cords beginning in May, 1997, which gave me back near normal vocal volume. The results of the of this 10 minute procedure lasts from 3 to 5 months and then the procedure is repeated. I initially had this Medicare covered procedure done by Dr. Gerald Burke, of the UCLA Neck and Throat Clinic. For those without Medicare the cost of the procedure in May of '97 was $500. I don't know if that is the current price. Kaiser Permanente's Dr. David Pitts also does this procedure, however, he's moved from the Kaiser Sunset facility to their Baldwin Park facility. That's very far from the L.A. suburb where I live so I no longer go to him to get the injections, as I have limited driving due to PD-related visual problems. It should be noted that not everyone is going to benefit by having the collagen injections, but Dr. Burke is up front if he feels that no improvement will result from the collagen injections. Your client may reach Dr. Burke at the following: 200 Medical Center Drive 5th Floor Suite 550 Los Angeles, CA, 90095 1(310) 206-6688 Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Lesley Eyles <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tuesday, February 09, 1999 7:49 PM Subject: intro/question >Hello. > >I am new to this list. I am a grad student in Speech Pathology. My >grandfather has Parkinson's and that is how I found my way into my field >of study. > >I am currently helping a Parkinson's client in the clinic at my >university. She is having trouble speaking with volume; she whispers >everything. She has days were she is more audible than others, but she >is having more and more inaudible days. Her speech rate is normal and >understandable, but it is frustrating to my client and her caregivers >that no one can hear her. She knows she is speaking with low intensity. > >Can anyone relate to this sort of experience? What help was available >to you? My supervisor has recommended that we look into amplification >devices for her. I am curious to know if vocal exercises might help. >Any feedback will be most appreciated. > >Lesley >