SHU Health Professions Faculty Highlight Communication Disorders

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Faculty in Sacred Heart University’s College of Health Professions highlight the importance of audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) during May’s national Better Hearing and Speech Month.
They help dispel misconceptions about people who have speech, language and hearing impairments and explain how SHU’s programs prepare students to work effectively with people who have hearing and speech challenges.
Each May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Better Hearing and Speech Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders. About 5% to 10% of Americans have communication disorders, or an impairment that affects voice, speech, language, hearing, and swallowing. One million Americans live with aphasia, a language disorder that affects comprehension and expression, and more than 30 million Americans have some form of hearing loss.
“‘Communication is the key to ...’ is a phrase each person might finish differently,” said Marta Korytkowska, clinical assistant professor in SHU’s department of communication disorders. “Communication brings out our humanity, enables us to share our hopes and dreams and share our most basic needs. The ability to share our thoughts with others provides us with connection.”
Cristina Pino, clinical assistant professor in the department of communication disorders, said symptoms of language impairment SLPs encounter are often misunderstood as confusion or deficits in intellect. “Someone may have difficulty relaying a message, but is fully aware of the message they intend to send. Raising awareness of these disorders also improve the education of community members who will interact with these individuals, from the server at a restaurant, to the cashier at the pharmacy,” Pino said.
Connecting people
The theme of this year’s Better Speech and Hearing Month is “Connecting People.” SHU’s audiology and speech-language pathology faculty believe they connect their clients with the world around them. Skilledintervention from experts enable people with communication disorders to live fulfilling lives.
“We connect people in so many ways,” said Jamie Marotto, director of SHU’s audiology clinic and clinical assistant professor in the department of communication disorders. “Audiologists can connect people to the world and especially to their families and loved ones. Hearing loss can cause people to withdraw and isolate, but appropriate and well-fitted treatment, such as hearing aids, bring about better communication habits and stronger connections.”
Ciara Leydon-Korn, chair of the department of communication disorders, reiterated that communication disorders can be very isolating. However, she said, SLPs connect families by helping a child learn to form words, or working with a parent to restore speech after an injury or a grandparent to eat safely. “Working with a client and family, SLPs can find the most satisfying, successful ways for needs, ideas and feelings to be shared by using words, gestures, pictures or technology,” Leydon-Korn said.
Misconceptions
The work of audiologists and SLPs is effective, but many people may not know the depth and breadth of both professions, Marotto said. “For example, audiologists can evaluate and treat balance disorders, since our balance centers are housed in the inner ear, next to our hearing organ,” she explained.
“There are misconceptions about hearing aids, she said, explaining that there are people who still think of hearing aids as clunky devices that don’t work well. Technology has come a long way, she said, and hearing aids are now small and discreet. They have sophisticated sound quality, and some have the ability to recharge or have Bluetooth options.
“Many people either don’t know they have hearing impairment, or don’t seek out treatment,” Marotto said. “We know that hearing is connected to many other health conditions. For example, hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes, as compared to people of the same age without it. We also know that people with untreated hearing loss are generally more at risk for developing some type of cognitive decline and/or dementia, in addition to having balance problems.”
Noting that there are people under the impression that speech therapy doesn’t work, Korytkowska asserted, “There is research to show the opposite. There are examples that demonstrate the efficacy of speech pathology services in both acquired disorders and progressive disorders to relearn or maintain abilities for longer.”
Ellen Massucci, clinical assistant professor in the department of communication disorders, observed that SLPs who work with children are often thought of as only addressing speech sound errors. “Our scope of practice working with children starts at birth and continues through adulthood, and it goes beyond the limited focus of speech sound errors,” Massucci said.
In reality, while SLPs do address speech production disorders, they also assess and treat language, voice, fluency, swallowing and social communication impairments at all levels of severity and in all settings. “Ours is an extensive and varied field when it comes to working with children,” said Massucci.
Preparing students
Interprofessional education and practice opportunities within SHU’s communication disorders undergraduate program and the speech-language pathology graduate program enable students to learn alongside health-care professionals. Under clinician supervision students in the graduate program provide services to people who have communication impairments, Korytkowska said.
“Our students are training to become skilled SLPs, working with clients who are motivated to continue their journey of recovery,” Pino said. “SHU helps bring these two groups of learners together and engage in a mutually beneficial experience. This give-and-take approach is always acknowledged each semester by students and clients alike.”
Leydon-Korn said that, during the first semester of the graduate program, students work with people who have communication disorders. They are in schools or nursing facilities, learning and serving the community. They also work with children who have articulation, stuttering and language disorders, and adults with voice, language and swallowing disorders, Leydon-Korn continued. In classes and in small groups, students hone their clinical skills through case reviews and simulated scenarios that mimic real-world practice.
“Offering students the opportunity to engage with other disciplines in school settings and skilled nursing facilities, participate in interprofessional seminars and engage in problem-based learning tutorials are just some examples of how the communication disorders program helps students understand their role in a client’s recovery,” Pino said. “These training opportunities also foster the development of skills required to be an effective team member.”
Visit the communication disorders webpage for additional information.
To download an image, visit SHU’s Photoshelter archive.
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 387 Colleges–2022 Edition, “Best Northeastern” and Best Business Schools–2022 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu