Quick Navigation

Northern Illinois University

NIU Office of Public Affairs


News Release

Contact: Karen Muñoz, NIU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
(815) 753-1481

April 29, 2004

May shines spotlight on speech-language problems
during ‘Better Hearing and Speech Month’

DeKalb — An estimated 28 million Americans have a hearing loss that can be treated. You could be one of them. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a good time to take stock of your own hearing and seek help if you have a problem.

You have hearing loss if you:

  • frequently ask people to repeat themselves.
  • often turn your ear toward a sound to hear it better.
  • understand people better when you wear your glasses or look directly at their faces.
  • lose your place in group conversations.
  • keep the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud.
  • have pain or ringing in your ears.

“People who see themselves in these statements should see an audiologist for a hearing test,” said audiologist Karen Muñoz. “Even a very slight hearing loss can have an impact on your daily life. Hearing loss is treatable, and there is no reason for anyone to miss all the important sounds of life.”

An annual hearing checkup is a good idea for people age 45 and older, according to audiologists, the professionals who specialize in preventing, identifying, assessing and treating hearing problems.

Audiologists can prescribe hearing aids and assistive listening devices, and they can teach people with hearing loss how to concentrate on hearing all sounds. Audiologists are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and in Illinois are licensed by the state.

If you suspect a hearing problem, call the Northern Illinois University Speech-Language-Heaing Clinic at (815) 753-1481.

# # #

SIDEBAR

Since 1927, May has been designated Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.

Speech and language disorders take many forms. Babies can be born with these disorders. Accidental injury or illness can cause them at any age. Speech and language disorders can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement.

“Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped,” said Anne Davidson, director of the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Northern Illinois University. “Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live more independently.”

Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech, language and related disorders.

They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In Illinois, they also are licensed by the state. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics and other health and education settings.

If you suspect a speech or language problem, call the NIU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at (815) 753-1481.

The clinic is part of the Department of Communicative Disorders in the NIU College of Health and Human Sciences.

# # #