Speech Therapy

Speech therapy helps individuals of all ages with speech, voice, language, cognitive function, and swallowing disorders.

Speech language pathologists are the professionals who diagnose and treat these disorders. These conditions make it difficult for people to express themselves, understand spoken or written word, or to swallow safely. These disorders can drastically affect communication skills, quality of life, school performance and social development.

Treatments we offer include:

Cognitive retraining
Changes to the brain which affect cognition often occur following conditions such as stroke or head injury. We will evaluate your needs and tailor a functional and individualized plan to improve your thinking, problem solving, attention and memory.

Aphasia therapy
Aphasia is the loss of ability to understand or express speech. Patients with aphasia would benefit from therapy to help with language comprehension, verbal expression, speech production, and pragmatic skills such as staying on topic or social appropriateness.

Articulation and phonology treatment
Is your child or loved one difficulty to understand? Let us help!

Stuttering treatment
This treatment helps improve fluency and modify stuttering production for enhanced communication skills.

Voice disorder treatment
Treatment is also available for those who have lost their ability to produce vocal sound due to conditions such as laryngeal cancer, vocal nodules, neuromuscular disease, gastroesophageal reflux disorder or laryngitis. Vocal hygiene and proper respiratory patterns are important for a healthy voice. Let us help you regain or maintain your voice.

Dysphagia/swallowing disorder therapy
This assists patients who have difficulty swallowing, which is usually a symptom of an underlying disease. These disorders can cause discomfort, dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and in some cases are life-threatening. Swallowing is a complicated process. We can conduct diagnostic testing, via a modified barium swallow study, to detect which phase of the swallow is affected and provide safe strategies and diet recommendations to reduce your risks of aspiration.

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Testing

For patients experiencing various types of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), a FEES test may be recommended. FEES is performed by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) during which a small, flexible tube (commonly referred to as a laryngoscope or endoscope) with a tiny camera and light attached to the end is inserted into your nose and passed through to visualize your throat (pharynx). The camera will observe the muscles in your throat and voice box (larynx) before, during, and after your swallow. The test includes swallowing various amounts, textures and sizes of fluids and foods to evaluate swallowing function, and to help identify any issues you may be experiencing. SLPs may also trial different swallowing strategies to maximize the efficiency and safety of your swallow. You will be fully awake for this outpatient procedure and can review the imaging with your SLP. Please note a physician referral is required for a FEES test.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Everyone has the right and desire to communicate with the world around them. AAC helps people to be able to effectively use low tech or high tech devices to communicate. We can evaluate you for the proper speech generating device and help procure the most appropriate device as needed. Adults and children alike need to be able to access communication and engage with family and friends. Our team can help support you from basic vision boards to high tech eye gaze devices.

Dysphagia/ Swallowing Disorder Therapy
Speech language pathologists assist patients who have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), often a symptom of an underlying disease. These disorders may cause discomfort, dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and in some cases, are life-threatening. Swallowing is a complicated process. HRRMC has the capability to conduct diagnostic testing, via a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to detect which phase of the swallow is affected and provide safe strategies and/or diet recommendations that reduce the risk of aspiration. We offer comprehensive swallow rehabilitation with tailored exercises to strengthen and improve your swallowing function and quality of life.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for Dysphagia

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is a treatment option used by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to help improve swallowing function in people with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). This therapy uses small, controlled electrical currents to stimulate the muscles involved in swallowing. During the session, small electrodes are placed on the skin of your throat. These electrodes deliver gentle electrical pulses to activate your swallowing muscles, helping to strengthen and to improve coordination. You may be asked to perform specific swallowing exercises at the same time to enhance the effect of the stimulation. NMES is often used as part of a personalized swallowing therapy plan based on your unique needs and goals. Your SLP will determine if NMES is appropriate for you based on a comprehensive evaluation. Please note a physician referral is required for NMES.

Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) with Speech Therapy

A Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) is a special X-ray procedure used to assess swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). It is performed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in collaboration with the radiology department. During the test, you will be asked to swallow small amounts of food and liquid mixed with barium, a safe contrast material that makes your swallow visible on X-ray. The test captures a real-time video of the food and liquid moving through your mouth, throat (pharynx), and into your esophagus. This allows the SLP to closely observe the movement and coordination of your swallowing muscles and identify any issues, such as food going “down the wrong way” (aspiration). Different food textures and swallowing techniques may be tried during the study to evaluate the safest and most effective way for you to eat and drink. After the test, your SLP will review the results with you and recommend the best course of action. Please note a physician referral is required for a MBSS.

Speech therapy is available for inpatients and outpatients.
For more information, ask your physician or call HRRMC Rehabilitation Department.