Speech and hearing therapy—also known as speech-language pathology and audiology—are important health-related specialties. Speech therapy focuses on voice and speech-language skills. Hearing therapy helps with hearing and hearing loss.
We address a wide range of disabilities in children and adults, including articulation disorders, language delays, stuttering, and conditions that can impact feeding. Our services also extend to communication conditions, cognitive disabilities, and aphasia, helping individuals relearn language and speech skills after a stroke or head injury.
Speech or language delays or disabilities may be present at birth or acquired later in life by illness, head injury, substance misuse, or allergy.
Hearing loss may be acquired before or during birth if a pregnant person takes certain drugs or contracts a viral disease such as rubella (German Measles). Children sometimes acquire hearing loss from infection and inflammation of the middle ear or from communicable diseases. Adult hearing may be affected by prolonged exposure to loud noise and the process of aging.
Benefits of Speech and Hearing Therapy
Speech and hearing therapy services can help enhance or restore limited or lost communicative skills or swallowing capabilities. Easterseals licensed speech therapists incorporate the use of special faciliatory techniques, augmentative and assistive equipment, therapeutic exercise and evaluation tools.
- Enhanced communication: Augmentative and alternative communication systems
- Improved motor skills: Developing control of vocal and respiratory systems, enhancing oral motor, swallowing, and respiratory skills
- Increased fluency: Techniques to increase ability to speak easily, accurately, and quickly; express their thoughts clearly and effectively; and confidence in their speech
- Audiological services: Determining the existence and type of hearing loss, providing rehabilitative services, assessing amplification devices like hearing aids, and teaching individuals how to maximize their remaining hearing
A Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist’s Education
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are professionally trained specialists holding master's degrees or the equivalent from programs accredited by an Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Some speech-language pathologists and audiologists hold doctoral degrees and work as teachers, advisors, researchers and consultants. Some specialize in certain areas, such as aphasia or hearing disorders in children, or participate in prevention and early identification programs.
Speech-language pathologists who use the initials "CCC-SLP" after their name have passed a national examination administered by the Clinical Certification Board of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Audiologists who pass a different national test, administered by the board, receive a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology and qualify to use the initials "CCC-A" after their name. A person who meets requirements in both professional areas may be awarded both certificates.
Individualized Treatment Plans
A speech-language pathologist evaluates a person's speech-language skills, determines the probable cause and extent of any existing disorder and develops appropriate treatment to correct or lessen the communication barriers. Clinical methods used depend on the nature and needs of the disability, the age of the client and the client's awareness of their hearing loss.
An audiologist, after evaluating a person's hearing and determining the type of hearing loss, establishes a treatment plan. This may involve therapy, prescription of special equipment such as hearing aids and electronic communication devices and referral for possible surgery or medication.
Both speech-language pathologists and audiologists refer their clients to other sources when necessary and help the client and the client's family understand the treatment plan. They work closely with other professionals in health and education, including physicians, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors and teachers.
