Helping those with Communication Disorders
Speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with evaluation,
treatment, and research in human communication and its disorders.
Your work in this profession might take place in a public school
or in a large hospital or nursing home. You might decide to build
your own private practice or develop and market new communication
devices and tests. Or, you might conduct research in a scientific
laboratory, be an administrator, teach at a university, or work
for state or federal agencies. You can combine several of these
options to establish a challenging and satisfying career.
Speech-language pathologists treat such disorders as stuttering,
delayed language development, aphasia, and voice and articulation
problems. Among the most exciting research advances in the field
are new computer applications developed to assist those with severe
communication disabilities individuals who are unable to speak.
Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment,
and rehabilitation of hearing disorders. They prescribe and dispense
hearing aids and instruct individuals who are hearing impaired in
the use of the aid. Audiologists also are involved in programs of
hearing conservation, particularly in industry, and serve as consultants
to government in such areas as noise abatement. They conduct research
into environmental influences on hearing, new testing methods, and
new rehabilitative devices.
For further information about the profession contact American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association.