Better Hearing and Speech Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month
May is designated as better hearing and speech month. The theme this year is “Communication: The Key to Connection.” According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 15% of American adults (37.5 million people) report some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation from family, friends, and the community. It is important to get regular hearing checks and to contact your physician if you feel you are experiencing hearing loss.
Approximately 46 million Americans experience some form of communication disorder. These disorders can affect physical and emotional health. Augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) is one way to help people with communication disorders. When a person is unable to speak, or communicate clearly, other people often mistakenly think that they are also unable to comprehend or understand what someone is saying. By giving someone with a communication disorder an AAC device you allow them to communicate, make decisions, demonstrate understanding, and to be able to express themselves in different situations. AAC can help decrease frustration among families. It allows people with communication disorders to be able to express what they are feeling and allows friends and family to better understand, and this helps to decrease frustration among both sides.
Here are more information and resources for better hearing and speech
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/news/2017/may-better-hearing-and-speech-month
http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/why.html
https://www.isaac-online.org/english/home/
-Matthew D’Antonio, DPT, PT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
