Talking to a friend. Listening to music. Joining a discussion. Understanding an idea. Expressing a thought-Communication: Our most human characteristic. Communication is essential to learning, working and enjoying family life and friendships. A communication disorder affects every aspect of a person's life.

A communication disorder occurs due to stroke, an undetected hearing loss, a stuttering problem, a head injury, a language disorder, a movement or muscle problem, or some other disorder or problem that interferes with speech, language or hearing.

The professionals who help people with speech, language and hearing disorders are Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work in schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, health departments, private practices, colleges and universities and research laboratories. As autonomous professionals, they accept referrals from many sources, including physicians.

They are indispensable members of the health care team for people who have strokes, head injuries, swallowing disorders and other problems, and of the educational team for students receiving special education and related services as well as those needing help with communication skills.

Audiologists are hearing health care professionals who specialize in prevention, identification and assessment of hearing disorders and provide treatment and rehabilitative services.

Audiologists

• test and diagnose hearing disorders in infants and children as well as adults
  
• prescribe and dispense hearing aids and assistive listening devices and instruct people in their use
  
• help prevent hearing loss through hearing conservation programs
  
• work with adults and children needing aural rehabilitation services such as auditory training, speech reading and sign language instruction
  
• conduct research into environment influences on hearing, new testing methods and new rehabilitative devices such as cochlear implants.

Speech-language pathologists help people develop their communication abilities as well as treat speech, language and voice disorders. Their services include prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of communication disorders.

Speech-language pathologists

• conduct research to develop new and better ways to diagnose and remediate speech/language problems

• work with children who have language delays and speech problems

• provide treatment to people who suffer and those with voice and articulation problems

• aid people with foreign or regional accents who want to learn another speech style

• help stroke victims regain the use of language

• work with people who are non-speaking and use augmentative communication aids ranging from sign language to computers

• help those who want to improve speaking and listening skills

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