Speech-Language Pathology – Unsung yet Crucial!

Who Is an Audiologist?

Audiologists are primarily hearing health care professionals. They are experts in the prevention, identification, diagnosis and management of hearing and balance disorders across the lifespan.

When Should You See an Audiologist?

You should see an audiologist when:

• You suspect a hearing loss
• You are unable to understand speech
• You are 60 and above – annual hearing tests are recommended
• You are exposed to loud sounds regularly
• You have ringing in the ears
• You have ear-related problems

How Will an Audiologist Help with the Management of Hearing Loss?

Audiologists will help you select the right hearing aid for the type and degree of your hearing loss. They will aid in fitting and dispensing of hearing aids with programming until the patient attains comfortable hearing levels. They can also program cochlear implants, provide instructions and give auditory training as a part of the auditory intervention. Aural rehabilitation after amplification is done to improve listening skills and speech understanding.

How Early Can You Detect Hearing Loss?

New-born hearing screening is done as early as after first 48 hours of life. OAE (otoacoustic emissions) measures the hair cell function in the inner ear (or cochlea). OAE is used even for screening special populations.

Who Is a Speech Language Pathologist?

Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) are healthcare professionals. They are experts in examining, identifying and treating those with speech, language and swallowing disorders.

An SLP works with people of all ages right from babies to adults.

What Kind of Disorders Do They Deal With?

In the pediatric category:

• Delayed receptive and expressive skills
• Speech sound disorder
• Fluency disorder
• Voice disorder
• Resonance disorder
• Social communication disorder
• Cognitive communication disorder

In adults and the geriatric population:

• Speech disorder (dysarthria, misarticulation, etc.)
• Language disorder (receptive/expressive aphasia)
• Fluency disorder (stuttering)
• Voice disorder (hoarse, harsh, breathy, puberphonia, etc.)
• Resonance disorder (hypo/hypernasality)
• Cognitive-communication disorders (memory, problem solving, etc.)

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

Feeding and swallowing difficulties following an illness, surgery, stroke or injury.

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is an intervention method where the qualified SLP applies appropriate techniques to improve communication based on the type of speech and language disorder. The treatment plans are elaborate and vary significantly for each person based on factors such as age, the extent of disorder, situation and needs. In young kids, speech therapy benefits in school readiness; it helps develop age-appropriate language skills to avoid delay in the acquisition of academic skills and it increases confidence while communicating without speech sound errors. In adults, speech therapy will boost self-esteem and independence, improve communicative ability (even through non-verbal modality), improve quality of life and finally would develop better swallowing function. Duration of speech therapy differs based on the individual’s progress in therapy, the type & the extent of disorder and the associated condition.

Does Early Identification and Intervention Make Any Difference?

Early identification and intervention are important, especially in young children. It gives an opportunity to utilize the plastic nature of the brain. The five initial years of child’s life witness rapid neurological development. During this time, brain development progresses rapidly and hence this is the best time to utilize neuroplasticity. This critical period helps in faster prognosis, increases educational attainment and improves the quality of life. In adults, post-stroke rehabilitation which is within 3-6 months is considered the golden period. Speech therapy during this window will help achieve the maximum potential of the individual to retrieve/regain already stored and lost speech and language abilities.