Speaking, listening, understanding, feeding, and swallowing are important skills we use every day. Having a challenge in any of these areas can make life more difficult.
Speech-language pathologists help with communication, feeding, and swallowing, while audiologists focus on hearing and balance. These healthcare providers help people of all ages improve their quality of life.
The information here can help you find issues early and get the help you need.
About speech-language pathologists and audiologists
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists advocate that Communication Access is for everyone and is a basic human right.
Speech-language pathologists
Speech-language pathologists work with people of all ages—from babies to adults—who have challenges with communication, feeding and swallowing. Some people are born with these challenges. For others, they happen over time or because of an illness or injury.
Speech-language pathologists help people with:
- listening and understanding
- using language and expressing themselves
- speaking and pronouncing sounds clearly
- using their voice
- stuttering
- feeding and swallowing
Audiologists
Audiologists are hearing specialists. They work with and support people of all ages who have hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and balance disorders. They help by:
- checking people’s hearing and balance
- offering advice and support to people with hearing loss
- testing and treating people who may need cochlear implants
- prescribing and fitting people with hearing aids and other hearing tools
- teaching people how to protect their hearing
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