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Lydia Kruse

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Areas of Expertise

  • Voice and Upper Airway Disorders
  • Voice Disturbances related to Parkinson's Disease
  • Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication

Biography

Lydia Kruse, MS, CCC-SLP is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. She received her Bachelor’s degree with honors from Butler University in 2008 and her Master’s degree from Purdue University in 2010.  Her primary clinical and research interests lie in the evaluation and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders, as well as gender-affirming voice and communication training.

Professor Kruse facilitates clinical practicum experience within a multidisciplinary otolaryngology clinic in Lafayette, Indiana, where patients receive comprehensive care for voice, upper airway, and swallowing disorders. Additionally, she founded the Purdue Center for Voice which is within the M.D. Steer Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic. Through the Purdue Center for Voice, Professor Kruse teaches graduate student clinicians how to provide gender-affirming voice and communication training to gender-diverse adults utilizing a non-pathologizing framework. In 2022, she also launched a vocal exercise program for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, employing grant funding received from the Parkinson Voice Project.

Professor Kruse holds the Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as the Indiana State License in Speech-Language Pathology. She is an affiliate of the ASHA Specialty Interest Group 3 – Voice and Upper Airway Disorders. She is a member of the Indiana Voice and Dysphagia Network as well as the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She holds certification for LSVT and SPEAK OUT! therapy programs for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, she is an LGBTQ-competent provider registered with OutCare.

Education

  • MS 2010
  • BA 2008

Websites

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • Purdue Safe Zone - LBGTQ+ Inclusivity Training
  • Purdue Trans Inclusivity Training
  • Transgender Health Interprofessional Education Committee
  • OutCare Registered Healthcare Provider

Current Courses

  • SLHS 41900 - Introduction to Voice, Upper Airway, and Swallowing Disorders
  • SLHS 54900 - Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology

Professional Affiliations

  • National Student Speech Language Hearing Association - Purdue Chapter Advisor
  • Ringel Student Research Symposium - Committee Member