Background:
Effective speech production involves a complex system that not only requires planning and motor execution in different speech subsystems, but also depends on the proper functioning of the auditory system. In cases of dysarthria, auditory electrophysiological assessment can be important, since it can help diagnose the underlying neurological disease. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of the frequency-following response (FFR) in monitoring the progress of speech therapy in cases of dysarthria due to neurodegenerative disease. It also sought to gauge changes in the patients’ quality of life using a self-report questionnaire.

Case report:
Two individuals with dysarthria were assessed by the FFR and by the questionnaire “Living with Dysarthria” while undergoing a speech therapy rehabilitation program aimed at improving their speech. It was found that the speech therapy brought benefits in terms of quality of life, in line with the FFR responses.

Conclusions:
The FFR may be a promising approach to monitoring changes in the central auditory nervous system during speech therapy for dysarthria due to acquired neurodegenerative disease.