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What
is a Speech Language Pathologist?
The
Speech Language Pathologist is the primary care professional
for communication or swallowing. The practice of Speech
Language Pathology includes prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of communication or swallowing disorders; elective
modification of communication behaviors, such as accent
elimination; and enhancement of communication.
What
does a Speech-Language Pathologist do at St. Barnabas
Hospital?
Provides
prevention, screening, consultation, assessment and
diagnosis, treatment, intervention, management, counseling
and follow-up services for the disorders of:
Speech,
such as
articulation, fluency or stuttering, resonance, and voice.
Current techniques include all traditional therapy, use of
biofeedback; Visipitch diagnostics.
Language,
as in development of child semantics, syntax and phonology;
social aspects of communication; comprehension and
expression in oral, written, graphic and manual modalities;
language processing; pre-literacy and language-based
literacy skills, including phonological awareness. Current
interventions include traditional therapy, as well as
computer-based software and programs to enhance development.
Swallowing,
such as infant feeding; adult disorders, such as
after a stroke, due to neurogenic diseases, like Parkinson’s
and ALS, and other aerodigestive and aeromechanical
functions. Treatment includes traditional therapy
techniques, as well as EMG training. Evaluation includes the
use of objective diagnostic equipment to observe and collect
data to measure the parameters of swallowing, such as
videofluoroscopy and sEMG.
Cognitive aspects of communication.
Current therapy includes both traditional therapy techniques
and computer programs to reinforce learning.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems.
Evaluates communication systems and techniques; provides training in
the use of communication systems and devices. Devices
include speech-generating devices, talking tracheostomy
tubes, electrolarynges and other aides.
Selects,
fits and establishes use of prosthetic/adaptive devices,
such as speaking valves for tracheostomy
tubes/ventilator-dependent individuals.
Aural
Rehabilitation.
Provides
services to individuals with hearing loss and their
families/caregivers in coordination with the Audiologist.
Auditory Processing Disorders.
Collaborates in the assessment and treatment of Central
Auditory Processing disorders.
What
is an Audiologist?
An
Audiologist is a licensed professional who promotes healthy
hearing, communication competency, and quality of life for
all individuals. Their services include prevention,
identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing,
auditory functioning, balance and other related systems. The
Audiologist is the professional responsible for the
identification of impairments of auditory, balance and other
systems.
What
does the Audiologist do at St. Barnabas Hospital?
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Provides services to both children and adults.
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Promotes
prevention of hearing loss and auditory dysfunction
through hearing wellness and protection of hearing by
design, implementation and coordination of occupational
hearing programs in the facility and community;
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Identifies
hearing dysfunction through age-appropriate procedures;
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Supervises
and implements newborn and child hearing programs and
coordinates care with school based services in the
community;
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Identifies
individuals at risk for hearing loss and other auditory
dysfunction, tinnitus and associated communication
impairments;
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Provides
behavioral and electroacoustic methods to assess
hearing;
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Evaluates
and manages children and adults with auditory-related
processing disorders;
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Performs
otoscopy for appropriate audiological management or
referral;
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Evaluates
and selects hearing assistive technology to include
hearing aids;
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Provides
support services for appropriate referral to hearing aid
dispensers;
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Provides
rehabilitation services such as aural rehabilitation,
auditory training and counseling services for hearing
aid users.
How
can I get an Appointment for Speech Language Pathology or
Audiology?
Patients
are seen by appointment in our ambulatory care clinic. After
receiving a doctor’s referral, call us at 718-960-6646, and
we will assist you in scheduling your appointment. Patients
in our on-site nursing home and acute care units are seen by
physician referral.
What
if I can’t keep my clinic appointment?
We want
to get you a new appointment as soon as possible. Therefore,
if you can’t make an appointment date, please call us as
soon as possible. We will give you a new appointment date
and time. Your consideration will allow us to help another
patient sooner by reducing missed appointments in our
schedules.
Where
can I find more information about communication or hearing
disorders?
If you
have any questions about communication based disorders,
communication disorders associated with specific diseases or
causes, or questions about hearing loss or swallowing
problems, please explore the links below for more
information.
American Speech Language Hearing Association:
http://www.asha.org/
American Academy of Audiology:
http//www.audiology.org |
