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Better Hearing & Speech Month is an annual event founded to bring awareness of communication disorders. This helps to improve the quality of life of individuals with impaired speech or hearing. Better Hearing & Speech month is about improving the lives of millions of Americans that are living. with communication disorders
What is Better Hearing & Speech Month?
Since 1927, each May has been Better Hearing & Speech Month, encouraged by American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA). The goal of Better Hearing & Speech Month is to raise awareness about impaired speech or hearing and improve the quality of life for individuals with communication disorders.
According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at least 46 million Americans have a hearing or communication disorder.
Communication is a critical part of our lives since we spend most of our time working with, learning from, and enjoying being around other people. Those with communication disorders may find it more difficult to sense, understand, and respond to other people.
There is a wide range of communication disorders that can cause problems with speech, voice, language, or hearing. More Americans experience these problems as they get older. A common example of hearing impairment is tinnitus, which is often experienced as the ringing of the ears.
Common speech impairments include apraxia of speech or stuttering. These types of communication disorders may occur as a result of a birth injury.
It is important to speak with your child’s doctor about treatment options if they are experiencing a communication disorder. Speech-language pathologists as well as ear, nose, and throat doctors are specialists who regularly work on treating patients with communication disorders.
Why is Better Hearing & Speech Month Important?
Communication is a vital part of our daily lives. Helping individuals with birth injuries who cannot communicate as well as they would like to can help them live independent lives and socialize with others. Recognizing Better Hearing & Speech month also helps to bring awareness to the community and allows others in similar situations to come together and connect.
Unfortunately, many people with speech or hearing disorders do not have access to a support network. Better Hearing & Speech Month brings awareness to help to create networks where people living with communication disorders can learn from one another and help each other.
Better Hearing & Speech Month is also a time to celebrate medical professionals that change the lives of children with speech and hearing impairments. It is an acknowledgment of the hard work of healthcare providers who go above and beyond to help people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.
Hearing & Speech in Children Diagnosed With Birth Injuries
Better Hearing & Speech Month is especially important for those who were diagnosed with birth injuries. Birth injuries are one of the leading causes of developing a communication disorder early in life. Around 20% of children with cerebral palsy have a hearing impairment.
It is important to remember that hearing and speech problems in children can be improved through adequate treatment. Speech can be improved through speech therapy and occupational therapy with pathologists as well as communication devices. Hearing can be improved through therapy, hearing aids, and cochlear implants.
Children born with cerebral palsy and other birth injuries may be eligible for these types of treatments. Treatment can have a positive impact on the lives of children with cerebral palsy. If your child has a communication disorder, work with your primary care physician to find the best treatment options for your child’s specific needs.
Celebrating Better Hearing & Speech Month will help to continue to bring awareness to communication disorders. This can help children with birth injuries find a sense of community and receive life-changing treatment.
How to Participate in Better Hearing & Speech Month
The American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA) has many resources available to learn more about the topic of communication disorders. ASHA provides the hearing and speech impaired community with valuable activities and information for parents and caregivers.
Each year, there is a different discussion theme for Better Hearing & Speech Month. This year’s discussion theme is “Building Connections.” The theme is focused on learning how to establish important social connections. Each week focuses on a new discussion topic with daily articles to engage the community.
You can participate in Better Hearing & Speech Month by:
- Encouraging research and testing
- Share your story on social media
- Thank a speech occupational therapist, pathologist, or otolaryngologist
- Use the hashtag #BetterSpeechLanguageMonth
