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May is Better Speech and Hearing Month

Jules Roberts, MA, CCC-SLP and Helen Wolter, MA, CCC-SLP

April 25, 2012. Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.  Speech, language, voice and cognitive disorders can take many forms and can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. An individual may be born with a speech,  language, swallowing or cognitive disorder, or it may be caused by accidental injury or illness. 

“Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped,” said Jules Roberts, MA, CCC-SLP.  “Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech, voice, language, cognitive, swallowing problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to use speech and language, cogntive or swallowing skills, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live more independently.”  

“We are particularly excited about a new technology arriving soon to evaluate swallowing disorders, called the FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing), ” reports Helen Wolter, MA, CCC-SLP.  “This equipment will allow us to examine swallowing function using high definition endoscopy, and is the standard of care at most hospitals.”  “At ARHS, we have a new team of Speech-Language Pathologists who have raised the bar relative to quality and patient-centered care, said Jeanne Bradshaw, ARHS System Director of Rehabilitation Services. ” Through a partnership with Appalachian State University, we have access to top- notch clinicians.  Jules Roberts, MA, CCC-SLP and Helen Wolter, MA, CCC-SLP have brought a new focus to our Speech department and provide excellent care at all three hospitals, as well as provide outpatient services, continues Bradshaw.

Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech,  voice, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. [In NC, they also are licensed by the state.] Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and educational settings.

To learn more about Speech Therapy through Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, click here to visit our website.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 145,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists.

To learn more about Rehabilitation Services at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, visit www.apprhs.org/rehab-therapy.