Complimentary Hearing and Speech-Language Screening Event at Abington YMCA

In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month, Salus University’s Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) and Speech-Language Institute (SLI) are holding complimentary hearing and speech-language screenings at the Abington YMCA (1073 Old York Road) on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event is open to the public and no RSVP is required to attend.

The screenings aim to bring awareness about hearing loss, speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders, and the various treatment options available.

SLI director Robert Serianni, MS said the screenings allow the public to see where their communication skills are at and if any individuals are not where they should be.

“We as SLPs always encourage folks to have an evaluation because sometimes we may think we are functioning OK, but SLPs can find subtle signs that could mean larger issues,” he said.

Similarly, hearing loss is a condition that can also begin subtly and go unnoticed, according to PEI director and pediatric audiologist Dr. Lindsay Bondurant.

“Many people don’t notice early signs of hearing loss, which may include thinking other people sound muffled or like they're mumbling; requiring frequent repetition; turning the TV or radio to a high volume; or having difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like restaurants, malls, or crowded rooms,” she said.

She also stresses the importance of early detection and precautionary testing for hearing loss.

“For children, a hearing evaluation should be considered if there is any concern about hearing, speech, language, overall development or academic progress,” she said. “For adults, it is an excellent idea to get a baseline hearing test even if there are no concerns, or if any symptoms of hearing loss start to develop.”

Mr. Serianni is excited about the opportunity to expose the public to the depth and scope of practice of speech-language pathology as a profession.

“I love the opportunity to be able to show the public all the things we are able to do – from addressing voice and swallowing issues, to language and cognitive deficits; we just don't treat stuttering and speech anymore,” he said. “Informing the public about our services is sometimes the first time they hear of our profession and all the things we can address.”

Each May the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role audiologists and speech-language pathologists play in providing life-changing services.