The Speech and Hearing Center

The ability to communicate and swallowing are two of the most important gifts given to humanity. Any impairment of these abilities can have far-reaching consequences, affecting every aspect of a person's life, from learning, to working, to interacting with family, friends, and community. At our Center we evaluate, diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

1. General Services

     - Speech/articulation and phonology disorders
     - Language impairments (developmental and acquired)
     - Cognitive-linguistic difficulties
     - Voice disorders
     - Voice & swallowing restoration for patients with head & neck cancer
     - Fluency disorder (Stuttering)
     - Dysphagia (Swallowing disorders)
     - Neonatal and pediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders

2. Specialty Tests

Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBS)

In this examination both a speech-language pathologist and radiologist observe and examine the patient swallowing multiple consistencies of liquid/food mixed with a radio-opaque substance called Barium. This test has two main purposes:

1. To identify the cause of your swallowing difficulties

2. To identify and assess treatment strategies that may improve your swallowing function or the safety and ease of eating.

This test may be useful for patients with the following diagnoses:

1. Coughing or choking

2. Food getting stuck in the throat while eating

3. Injury causing airway or swallowing difficulty

4. Illness causing progressive swallowing deterioration

 

Computer Speech Lab Analysis (CSL)

Computerized Speech Lab (CSL) is the gold standard/instrument used for acoustic analysis in the assessment and treatment of patients with speech and voice difficulties. It is used by leading clinicians and speech scientists for speech/voice measurements, clinical feedback, teaching, and second language acquisition.

This test may be useful for patients with the following diagnoses:

1. Hoarseness

2. Chronic laryngitis

3. Vocal cord injury

 

Nasometer II, Model 6400

Nasometer II is a tool used for assessment and treatment of patients with nasality problems. It is a simple, non-invasive procedure that determines the patient’s nasalance. Hypernasality (too much nasal airflow), or hyponasality (too little nasal air flow) can occur due to many reasons. We use the instrument for assessment before and after surgery (e.g., tonsil and adenoid removal) and during therapy.

This test can be useful for patients with the following diagnoses:

     - Cleft palate
     - Speech and resonance disorders
     - Hearing Impairment
     - Palatal prosthetic fitting

 

Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT)

Intensive, research-based, therapy program for the improvement of vocal loudness, quality and variation in pitch for patients with Parkinson's Disease.