My kiddo spoke in a normal voice until PANDAS. Then she stopped speaking for three months, and has whispered for the last 18 months. Usually so quiet, we struggle to understand her and frequently she has to write down what she is trying to say.
We have been trying for 18 months to get her to talk louder, much to everyone's frustration. I decided recently to try a new approach and so far so good (we just really started this morning, so too soon to tell, but I am very hopeful). I bought a personal voice amplifier much like what a speaker to a crowd uses. Now, we have to break some really bad habits acquired over the last 19 months and learn some new rules. But, I am so far thrilled!
I can finally hear my kiddo without being an inch from her mouth. I am hesitantly VERY hopeful. It was 21.00 total, and I ordered it from Ebay via China. It took about 8 days to get here. I could have gotten one from the US for about 35.00, but I figured I could save over a 1.00 a day since I have already waited 18 months to be able to hear my child talking again. Here is a link to what we bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Mini-Waistband-Portable-PA-Voice-Amplifier-Booster-Smile-Size-FM-Radio-25W/121148781993?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17369%26meid%3D1353306841241413515%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D8089%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D171046008813%26