Communication Disorders

Speech-Language and Hearing Center: FAQ

Who are we?
We are a non-profit Center that provides screening, diagnosis, and therapy for hearing, speech, fluency, voice, and language problems. We also offer help for individuals who desire accent modification.

Whom do we serve?
Our Center provides speech, language, and hearing services for community members from the ages of 2 ½ years old and up. Preschool and school age children are served who may demonstrate a wide variety of speech, language, or hearing disorders. Adult services include comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid selections, language therapy, help with accent modification, fluency issues, and voice disorders. Our Center also encourages SUNY New Paltz students, faculty and staff members to take advantage of our programs.

Who may refer an individual for an evaluation or other services?
Referrals to the Center may be initiated by parents, relatives, medical and dental professionals, counselors and self-referrals.

Who provides testing, treatment, and rehabilitation?
The Center is a teaching facility. As part of their training, the students obtain experience with patients under active supervision of certified and licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

What is included in a speech and language evaluation?
A comprehensive assessment of speech, language, hearing, voice quality, and fluency is provided to assess both the level of functioning in these areas of communication, but also to judge the need for rehabilitation services.

What happens after the speech and language evaluation?
A review of the findings is discussed and recommendations for remediation if needed are made.

Do children outgrow communication problems without therapy?
We cannot assume that a child will outgrow communication difficulties. While it is possible that some children with early speech and language difficulties may eventually develop normal speech and language skills, it is important to understand that such problems often persist.

What is included in a complete audiological evaluation?
Basic audiological evaluations may include a complete audiological history, immittance testing, acoustic reflex testing, otoacoustic emissions testing, speech recognition thresholds, pure tone sensitivity assessed by air and bone conduction, and word identification testing. Patients are counseled regarding results and recommendations.

What happens after the audiological evaluation?
If hearing aids or other assistive devices are recommended, a discussion of types of aids or devices will take place.