The Audiology and Speech Therapy Department focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing hearing, balance, and speech-language disorders. This department is staffed by audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and therapists who work together to provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages.
Audiology Services
- Hearing Assessments: Conduct hearing tests for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, to assess hearing levels and identify any hearing loss or impairment.
- Hearing Aid Fitting and Management: Recommending, fitting, and adjusting hearing aids to suit individual needs, ensuring optimal hearing and comfort for patients with hearing loss.
- Cochlear Implants: Evaluation and management of cochlear implant candidates, including pre-implant counseling, surgical coordination, and post-implantation rehabilitation to optimize hearing outcomes.
- Tinnitus Management: Providing treatment and support for patients experiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ears), using sound therapy, counseling, and coping strategies to manage symptoms.
- Balance and Vestibular Testing: Assessing and managing balance disorders through vestibular testing and rehabilitation, helping patients with dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues.
Speech-Language Therapy Services
- Speech and Language Evaluations: Assessing speech, language, and communication abilities in children and adults to diagnose speech or language disorders and plan appropriate interventions.
- Articulation Therapy: Helping patients improve their pronunciation and articulation of sounds, especially those with speech disorders such as apraxia, dysarthria, or phonological disorders.
- Language Development Therapy: Working with children who have language delays or disorders to enhance their ability to understand and use language effectively in various settings
- Stuttering and Fluency Therapy: Providing specialized therapy for individuals who stutter, focusing on improving fluency, and communication skills, and reducing the emotional impact of stuttering.
- Voice Therapy: Treating voice disorders, such as hoarseness, vocal cord nodules, or vocal strain, through exercises and techniques to improve vocal quality and prevent further damage.
Paediatric Services
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI): Screening newborns and infants for hearing loss and providing early intervention services to support language development and communication skills.
- Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy: Offering specialized therapy for children with speech and language delays, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental disabilities to enhance communication and social skills.
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Management: Diagnosing and treating APD in children, which affects the brain's ability to process auditory information, through targeted therapy and strategies to improve listening skills.
Adult Services
- Aphasia Therapy: Assisting patients who have lost the ability to speak or understand language due to a stroke, brain injury, or neurological disorder, through intensive speech therapy and communication strategies.
- Swallowing Therapy (Dysphagia): Evaluating and treating swallowing disorders in patients with conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or head and neck cancer, to ensure safe and effective swallowing.
- Cognitive-Communication Therapy: Helping adults with cognitive-communication disorders, often resulting from brain injuries, dementia, or other neurological conditions, to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Assistive Technology and Aids
- Hearing Assistive Technology: Providing devices such as FM systems, loop systems, and alerting devices to assist individuals with hearing loss in specific environments like classrooms or workplaces.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Offering AAC devices and strategies for individuals who are non-verbal or have severe speech impairments, enabling them to communicate effectively using tools like communication boards or speech-generating devices.
