Audiology and Speech Therapy

Audiology and Speech Therapy

Audiologists are experts in providing services in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Services include determining candidacy for and selection, fitting, and programming of hearing devices and
cochlear implants, audiologic rehabilitation, and monitoring for ototoxicity of the auditory and vestibular systems as a result of prescription drugs or treatments. A critical period of speech and language development occurs between birth and age 5. During this time, the child’s central nervous system is rapidly developing in response to auditory, visual, and tactile stimulation. If communication skills are not developing normally, therapy should be started
immediately to take advantage of this critical period. If therapy is delayed, the brain becomes “hard-wired.” As a result, it takes much longer to achieve results through therapy—and the outcomes of treatment are often less successful.