Children:
Speech impediments are an apparent and inhibiting disorder striking the youth of today. Correlating closely to hearing loss, and often a direct result, 4,560 children suffer from some degree of speech-language disorder. Like hearing, these difficulties, restrain a child’s potential academically, lead to social isolation and poor self-esteem. These children are more likely limit their expectations, withhold thoughts and opinions, and refrain from social activities for fear of embarrassment. Sometimes this leads to psychological distress. When possible, speech-language problems should be targeted as early as possible, in an effort to reduce the future side-effects of such disabilities.
Adults:
As for adults, we provide very similar services to those provided for our hearing patients. Often our patients involve those suffering from head trauma, strokes, or other life changing events. Although less common than hearing loss, speech-language deficiencies continue to effect people of all ages and backgrounds. Anderson-Oconee Speech & Hearing, in cooperation with home health agencies, provides in-home care for the disabled and offers a variety of speech and/or hearing screenings at an array of events – most notably Health Fairs. An inability to communicate clearly to others deters a persons aspirations and outlook on life, while limiting their opportunities as individuals.
Speech Therapy may include:
Facts and Figures:
Hearing Loss
# 1 Birth Defect in Children
# 3 Most Chronic Condition in the Older Population
Cases (Anderson County)
Age 0-18: 4360 Hearing Cases (90.34% Educationally Detrimental)
Age 18-64: 19,950 (Speech/Hearing/Language Cases)
Age 65+: 13,125 Hearing Loss Cases
1:22 (4.5%) Infants Born with Hearing Loss
1:1000 Severe (0.1%)
Development
0-6 months most critical age for Communication Development
Academics
Students encounter difficulty in Reading and Mathematics
Achieve academically 1-4 grade levels lower than peers
Educational gap widens as student progresses through school
Side-Effects
Social Isolation and Low Self-Esteem
Lower Quality of Life
* 24,500 people live below poverty line in Anderson County
* 1:2 (50%) of newborns eligible for Medicaid