Health Insights

Every May, UC Health observes National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and available treatments that can provide life-altering outcomes for the millions of people who have difficulties with speech, language and/or hearing.

May is also the perfect time to recognize the incredible work done by our audiologists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and the other dedicated experts who help patients across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky speak, hear and live more fully.

In the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, our audiology and speech-language pathology professionals are more than providers; they’re educators, collaborators and innovators, leading the way in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Innovation and research in this field have advanced tremendously in recent years, helping people with disorders who previously had little-to-no treatment options find therapies that open pathways to easier communication.

Whether you care for someone who struggles with a speech or language disorder, or you want to know more about hearing loss treatment options, read on to learn about the prevalence of these issues, how UC Health is leading the way in breakthrough therapies that can help and what makes our team of experts leaders in the field.  

How common are speech, language or hearing disorders?

Hearing, speech and language disorders include a wide spectrum of impacts and can affect balance, voice and swallowing. According to the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), millions of Americans have communication disorders. They include:

• Approximately two million who have aphasia, a disorder that affects the ability to understand or produce language, including speaking, writing and reading
• Three million Americans who have a stutter
• Approximately 38 million people who have some trouble hearing

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports 28.8 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids. More recently, a survey by ASHA found 83% of adults with hearing, speech or language difficulties indicate that their communication difficulties impact their lives. 

What causes speech, language and hearing disorders?

While some disorders are genetic and present at birth, other potential causes include stroke, brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases and/or as a part of aging.

What role does age play in hearing loss?

Age is one of the biggest factor in hearing loss, which is why hearing challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent among baby boomers in the United States.

But growing numbers of younger Americans are also reporting hearing problems. Many younger people experience hearing difficulties due to prolonged exposure to occupational and environmental noise, like listening to loud music.

Regardless of age, resistance to treatment is an ongoing problem. Among adults ages 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than 1 in 3 has ever used them, according to the NIDCD. Even fewer adults ages 20-69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them.

What are the daily impacts of living with a speech, language and/or hearing disorder?

Stigmas are a common challenge faced by people who have a speech, language or hearing disorder. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed by ASHA reported:

• Feeling like an outcast and feeling judged
• Being viewed as less intelligent
• Left unrecognized for their achievements
• Being labeled, bullied or treated with condescension

More than 80% of those polled said their communication difficulties impact their lives, from social gatherings to daily interactions with people outside of immediate loved ones. 

What resources does UC Health offer for treatment of hearing loss?

The Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery includes the neurotology program. Neurotology is a specialized medical field that focuses on the study and treatment of conditions involving the interface between the ear and brain. This team of subspecialists is made up of expert leaders dedicated to providing compassionate and innovative treatments for hearing disorders.

What are the areas of focus in neurotology?

Neurotology combines aspects of neurology and otolaryngology (ENT). Some of the areas of focus in neurotology include:

• Hearing loss and impairment
• Inner ear disorders
• Balance disorders and vertigo
• Skull base tumors

Who are the members of the neurotology team?

More than 125 physicians at UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute provide groundbreaking care for complex issues of the brain, spine and neck. Our nationally recognized experts are the only fellowship-trained specialists in the region dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the ear, including all forms of hearing loss, ear and cranial base tumors, facial nerve disorders and more.

The multidisciplinary team at UC Health also includes audiologists, radiologists neurosurgeons and other who collaborate, review research, consult clinical trials and work together to create a personalized treatment plan specifically tailored to your hearing loss.

As a patient with hearing loss, what should I expect at UC Health?

Our fellowship-trained specialists and multidisciplinary team continue to pioneer treatments in complex ear and cranial base conditions. We understand the impact hearing loss can have on every aspect of your life.

Our experts work with you to find the best hearing loss solution for your lifestyle and unique needs. We take many factors into consideration, from medical history to daily living. With thoughtful and sensitive conversations, we seek to gather as much information as we can to find the right treatment for your hearing loss.

Here are some of the factors we may take into account:

Medical assessment

• Type and degree of hearing loss. Is it conductive, which is a type of hearing loss that occurs when sound waves are blocked from reaching the inner ear by causes like fluid in the middle ear, damage to the eardrum or earwax buildup? Is it sensorineural, which is a type of hearing loss that occurs when there is damage to the inner ear? Is it a combination of both types? Is the degree of hearing loss mild? Profound?
• Progression pattern. Is it sudden, gradual, fluctuating or stable?
• Unilateral vs. bilateral involvement. Do you have hearing loss in one ear or both?
• Medical history. What other conditions do you have that might impact hearing or treatment options?
• Family history of hearing loss or genetic factors
• Previous ear surgeries or treatments
• Balance disorders or vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo, nausea, jerky eye movements or difficulty walking on uneven surfaces or in dim light.
• Tinnitus. Do you have “ringing in the ears?” If so, how severe is it?
• Diagnostic test results. What do the results of tests such as audiograms, tympanograms, ABR tests or imaging studies tell us?

Lifestyle and environmental considerations

• Occupational demands. Do you work in a noisy environment? What kind of communication requirements does your daily living demand?
• Social life. How do you engage with friends and family? What do you need to communicate well socially?
• Living situation. Do you live in an urban or rural environment? Do you live alone, or with others?
• Recreational activities. What do you do for fun that might be affected by hearing loss or devices?  
• Technology comfort. How comfortable are you with technology and your ability to manage hearing devices?
• Financial considerations including insurance coverage
• Support system. What does your support system look like?

Personal preferences and needs

• Aesthetic concerns. What are your feelings about visible hearing devices?
• Manual dexterity. Are you comfortable handling small devices or batteries?
• Cognitive factors. Is there anything that may affect your ability to adapt to hearing technology?  
• Psychological readiness for intervention.
• Expectations and goals for hearing improvement.
• Cultural or linguistic factors. Are there language or cultural considerations that might influence communication strategies?

What kinds of treatment are available for hearing loss?

Over 30 years ago, UC Medical Center was the first in the region to offer cochlear implants for severe hearing loss. As a national center for treating ear and cranial base disorders, we offer patients unparalleled expertise and a personalized approach at several convenient locations.

Among the treatments we offer are:

• Personalized hearing treatments. Many causes of hearing loss are not permanent. By working to find the exact reason for hearing loss for each individual, our experts in hearing could offer medical and surgical treatments to improve natural hearing.
• Hearing aids. These small, electronic devices are worn in or behind the ear to amplify sound and improve hearing for people with hearing loss. The advanced technology of hearing aids includes features like reducing background noise, directional microphones that make it easier to hear in noisy environments, and wireless connectivity, so you can stream audio from phones, TVs and other devices. Our experts work with you to find a hearing aid system that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
• Cochlear implants. These electronic devices are surgically implanted in the inner ear to restore or improve hearing in people with severe hearing loss for whom hearing aids are no longer sufficient.
• Bone-anchored hearing aids, bone conduction implantable hearing devices and bone-anchored auditory implants. These systems bypass the outer and middle ear by conducting sound through bone, directly to the inner ear. They’re typically used for conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, mixed hearing loss and cases where traditional hearing aids aren’t suitable.

We understand that there’s no one treatment that fits everyone. By blending leading-edge research with personalized care, we put you at the center of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team focused on finding what’s right for you.

Do UC Health and the University of Cincinnati conduct research?

As a leading academic health system, our teams conduct advanced and groundbreaking research into hearing loss. Our research programs include ongoing clinical trials focused on bringing new therapies and diagnostic tests to patients around the world.

As a research center, our patients have access to clinical trials and promising new treatments.

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is also a time to celebrate our team

May is also the perfect time to recognize the incredible work done by our audiologists, SLPs and the other dedicated experts who help patients across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky speak, hear and live more fully.

At UC Health, our audiology and speech-language pathology professionals are more than providers; they’re educators, collaborators and innovators, leading the way in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Hearing and balance: expertise rooted in compassion

Our audiology team provides the most comprehensive testing available in the region, using advanced technology to diagnose hearing loss and balance disorders with unmatched accuracy. But their impact goes far beyond diagnostics.

These professionals work with UC Health otolaryngologists, community ear, nose and throat physicians and other medical experts to identify the root cause of hearing and balance issues and, more importantly, find a solution that restores confidence and well-being.

Whether treating dizziness, tinnitus or severe hearing loss, our audiologists bring decades of expertise and a personal touch to every patient interaction. Their dual role as care providers and educators also ensures the next generation of audiologists is being trained right here at UC Health.

Speech-language pathology: helping patients reclaim their voices

Our SLP team supports patients who are re-learning how to speak, communicate, swallow and think clearly after an injury, illness or surgery. Their expertise spans stroke, brain injury, neurological disorders (like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and ALS) and tracheostomy and ventilator care.

Through comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans, our SLPs help patients regain everyday functions that many of us take for granted. This includes:

• Speech and cognitive rehabilitation to improve problem-solving, memory and communication
• Swallowing therapies using advanced diagnostics like modified barium swallow study, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and VitalStim therapy
• Device evaluations for augmentative and alternative communication, tailored to each patient’s unique needs

Southwest Ohio’s only voice and swallowing center of excellence

UC Health offers the region’s only specialized program for patients dealing with complex swallowing, airway and voice disorders. Led by fellowship-trained laryngologists and specialty-trained SLPs, our multidisciplinary teams bring together experts from neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, physical therapy and more to provide world-class care, all at one center.

Whether a patient is recovering from throat cancer, struggling with vocal cord dysfunction or facing lifelong swallowing challenges, our team uses the latest research to provide innovative, compassionate treatment that restores quality of life. Watch how our dysphagia team is making a difference.

Thank you to our speech-language-hearing professionals

This May, we extend our deepest gratitude to the audiologists, SLPs, assistants, and all supporting team members who work tirelessly to restore essential functions and improve lives. Your commitment to excellence, education, and patient-centered care is what makes UC Health a leader in this field and a beacon of hope for those we serve.

Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!