Why Am I Suddenly Mispronouncing Words?
Verbal communication is an important part of the human experience. We use speech to express our ideas, emotions, needs, and wants. For many Americans, strong speech skills come naturally, and the ability to effectively communicate verbally is often underappreciated and taken for granted. Sometimes, sudden changes in speech production, clarity, and fluency can occur, making it difficult to get words out or produce the intended sounds. For many, these sudden changes are temporary, whereas others will experience speech changes that persist.
When sudden changes in speech production occur, it is incredibly important to identify and address what is causing these changes, as in some cases, they can be the result of a serious medical condition.
Speech therapy provides help and support to those who are experiencing sudden changes in their speech or who are struggling to communicate effectively with others. Working with an experienced speech and language pathologist can help to strengthen existing speech and language skills, reduce or eliminate undesirable speech changes, and increase confidence, especially in social or public situations. If you’d like to learn more about whether speech therapy might be right for you, schedule your free introductory call today!
What Other Signs Should I Watch For?
Outside of sudden changes in your speech or finding yourself mispronouncing words often, there are some other things you should watch for, as they can indicate a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. These signs include:
- Weakened or Paralyzed Facial Muscles
- Uncontrollable Drooling
- Difficulty Remembering Certain Words or Details
- Challenges or Deficits with Expressive Language Skills
- Sudden Muscle Spasms or Contractions
Experiencing sudden impairments in your speech can be a medical emergency, as mispronouncing words or mumbling all of a sudden can be stroke speech symptoms or signs of another serious condition.
What Causes Sudden Speech Difficulties?
There are multiple conditions that can cause sudden changes in speech production or mispronunciation of words. While some of these causes of speech impairment can be addressed quite simply, others can be more serious, resulting in long-term effects on speech, language, and communication.
Some of the most common causes of sudden speech challenges include:
Stroke: Difficulty speaking, properly pronouncing words, or simply getting words out when accompanied by a numb or droopy face and sudden weakness on one side of the body, can indicate that a stroke has occurred. Strokes happen when a blood clot in the brain prevents the flow of blood from reaching a certain area of the brain, causing damage. A stroke can cause an individual to slur their speech, produce speech that others struggle to understand or lose their ability to communicate verbally at all. In some cases, a stroke will cause long-term problems with communication, known as aphasia. If you suspect that you or someone close to you is suffering from a stroke, calling 9-1-1 immediately is essential. Strokes are medical emergencies that can be life-threatening, requiring instant medical attention.
Drug or Alcohol Consumption: Mispronouncing words or producing slurred speech is sometimes caused by excessive drug or alcohol consumption. Slurring of words is a common and well-known symptom of intoxication, as alcohol and certain drugs slow communication between the brain and the body. The more drugs or alcohol an individual consumes, the more pronounced these speech symptoms will be.
Extreme Fatigue, Stress, or Anxiety: For some individuals, periods of sustained stress or anxiety, as well as extreme fatigue, can result in changes to speech and communication. Fatigue, anxiety, or stress can affect the cognitive processes required for speech, often making it difficult to recall certain words or details. Individuals who experience social anxiety may develop a dry mouth or stumble over their words when communicating with others.
Neurological Disorders: Certain neurological disorders or conditions affecting the brain can also cause sudden changes in speech production. Some of the most common neurological conditions that affect speech include:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Brain Tumors or Lesions
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Epilepsy
These conditions can lead to the development of neurological speech disorders such as dysarthria (slurred speech), apraxia of speech (difficulty coordinating the movements required for speech), and aphasia (difficulty producing certain words, forming sentences, and understanding others.)
Understanding and identifying these conditions early on is essential for the treatment and recovery of the individual affected. If you or a loved one would like support and guidance to improve your speech, language, and communication skills, getting started is simple. Connect with us by scheduling your free introductory call today!
About Speech Therapy for Mispronouncing Words
When well-established skills are lost suddenly, it is important to treat this situation carefully and seriously, as this can sometimes be a sign of a medical emergency. Suppose you are suddenly struggling to speak and aren’t sure why; the first step is to visit your healthcare provider or an ER right away to rule out a possible stroke or brain injury.
Speech therapy can begin once the underlying condition impacting speech has been identified and treated by a medical professional. The first step in working with a speech and language pathologist is a thorough evaluation of the individual’s existing speech skills and identifying the areas of communication that are particularly challenging.
From there, the speech therapist will create a tailored treatment approach to support the individual’s recovery. Each treatment plan is uniquely created based on the results of the evaluation as well as the underlying cause and specific symptoms affecting speech production. Speech therapy will continue until the individual recovers their lost speech skills, or further improvement is not possible.
Sudden changes in speech can be upsetting and disorienting, for the individual as well as their friends and family. Suddenly, being unable to communicate effectively can majorly impact an individual’s independence, quality of life, and self-esteem. Speech therapy provides a supportive and comfortable environment free of judgment in which the individual can practice their speech, language, and communication skills while receiving helpful feedback and gentle guidance.
An experienced speech and language pathologist can provide tailored support for individuals who are struggling with their communication skills caused by brain disease, traumatic brain injury, or another medical condition or disorder. You can learn more about how speech therapy can help recover lost skills and improve communication by scheduling your free introductory call today!