The American Speech and Hearing Association has designated May as “Better Hearing and Speech Month,” a time to raise awareness and provide information about communication disorders and the available options for treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems speaking or hearing. 

Professionals that treat communication disorders are Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Audiologists.

What do Speech-Language-Pathologists do?

Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate and treat individuals from infants to adults with communication, feeding and/or swallowing deficits. Conditions commonly treated include:

• Articulation Disorders – Problems with how we produce sounds and put them together into words.
• Language Disorders – Issues with comprehending spoken language and/or how well individuals can express themselves (ex:  ability to answer questions, utilize vocabulary, etc.).
• Social communication – Problems with relating to others, being able to follow social cues, taking turns in conversation, etc.
• Cognition – Problems with memory, attention, thinking skills, problems solving and organization.
• Fluency –Problems speaking fluently, with a smooth, even flow.
• Voice – Problems with the quality of our voice, such as hoarseness, volume, or the ability to produce sound (phonation).
• Feeding/Swallowing – Issues with sucking, chewing and/or swallowing.

What do Audiologists do?

Audiologists are professionals that diagnose and treat hearing, balance and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) disorders from infants to adults. Audiologists are trained in the fitting of hearing aids for individuals as young as one month old. Audiologists at Woman’s Center for Wellness provide the following services:

• Hearing Testing – Evaluate to determine the presence of a hearing loss, the type of loss, as well as the degree of loss.
• Hearing Aids – Select, program, and fit hearing aids of all styles. 
• Earmolds- custom earmolds for hearing aids, swim molds, and hunter’s molds.
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Testing – Diagnose the presence and type of APD disorder, as well as recommend a treatment plan.
• Ototoxicity monitoring- Monitors the hearing status of cancer patients who have received treatments where hearing loss is a risk factor.

Woman’s team of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists provides services to women, men and children of all ages. Offices are located at Woman’s Center for Wellness, the corner of Jefferson Highway and Bluebonnet. For more information, visit our website or call 225-924-8450.