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Neal Tomita, 79, plays the harmonica during a virtual class for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. (Mengshin Lin/For The Washington Post)

Parkinson’s can rob people’s voices. This instrument could help bring them back.

 What to know

Neal Tomita, who has Parkinson's, found his voice again through playing the harmonica, part of the Harmonica Parkinson's Project. This initiative, led by Kevin Lockette, aims to improve speech in Parkinson's patients. A pilot study showed harmonica lessons may enhance speech intelligibility and vocal intensity. While more research is needed, the project highlights the potential benefits of music therapy for Parkinson's-related speech issues.

Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed.

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