Learn more about hearing loss and its ramifications this month By Dr. Jill Gordon May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. This annual event provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding or hearing. As more than 28 million people suffer from hearing loss it is imperative to understand hearing loss and its ramifications. Helen Keller said the following: "I am just as deaf as I am blind. The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune. For it means the loss of the most vital stimulus- the sound of the voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man. Blindness separates us from things but deafness separates us from people." Many people are aware that their hearing has deteriorated but are reluctant to seek help. They don't want to acknowledge the problem, are embarrassed by what they see as a weakness, or believe that they can "get by" without using a hearing aid. More than 22 million people in the United States have never tried hearing aids as a solution to their hearing loss. A significant number of people with hearing loss mistakenly believe that hearing aids are not effective for what they are designed to do. Recent research, however, indicates that three-quarters of hearing aid users report satisfaction with the ability of modern hearing aids to improve their hearing, while a majority reports that hearing aids have significantly improved the quality of their life. The following are warning signs of hearing loss: • difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise such as a party or restaurant • frequently asking people to repeat what they have said; you "hear" but you can't understand them • difficulty hearing on the telephone • turning up the TV or radio volume louder than others • difficulty hearing certain sounds or pitches such as a doorbell or telephone ringing • agreeing or nodding your head during conversations when you are uncertain of what has been said • isolating yourself socially and removing yourself from conversations because it is too difficult and stressful to hear • reading people's lips in order to follow what they are saying If you or someone you know has any of the signs of hearing loss, contact Professional Hearing & Speech Center at (732) 303-9660. Speech impairments may have many causes - hearing loss, illness, injury, and congenital or psychological conditions. Speech impairments are found alone and in combination with other disabilities. When a child has a speech and language disorder, it can affect the way he or she talks, comprehends, analyzes or processes information. Speech disorders include the clarity, voice quality, and fluency of a child's spoken words. Language disorders include a child's ability to hold meaningful conversations, understand others, problem solve, read and comprehend, and express thoughts through spoken or the written word. Like many parents, anticipating the speech and language of your child is a major focal point. However, how do you know what speech and/or language skills are acceptable at what age? At the Professional Hearing and Speech Center, the certified speech and language pathologists are highly trained to perform speech, language, articulation and oral-motor assessments to determine if your child is functioning at the appropriate level of speech and language development. Based on the outcomes of the evaluations, the speech pathologists can determine if specific receptive, expressive, articulation and oral-motor goals and objectives will aid in facilitating the speech and language development of your child. Children with communication disorders frequently perform at a poor or insufficient academic level, struggle with reading, have difficulty understanding and expressing language, misunderstand social cues, avoid attending school, show poor judgement, and have difficulty with tests.This can lead to a negative self-esteem and difficulty devloping positive peer relationships. After all, communication skills are at the heart of life's experience, particularly for children who are developing language critical to cognitive development. Speech pathologists are a crucial part of the process in helping children become effective communicators, problem solvers and decision-makers. As a result of services such as memory retraining, cognitive reorganization, language enhancement, and efforts to improve abstract thinking, children can benefit from a more successful and satisfying educational experience as well as improved peer relationships. The services that speech-language pathologists provide can help children overcome their disabilities, achieve pride and selfesteem, and find meaningful roles in their lives. Dr. Jill Gordon, audiologist, and Amy Bernstein MA CCC-A, Speech- Language pathologist, are from The Professional Hearing and Speech Center at (732) 303-9660 or visit www.drjillgordon.com.