Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment.
Speech, language and hearing impacts everyone in terms of our ability to communicate effectively. For example, majority of caregivers of children and adults with communication difficulties (60%) say that communication breakdowns make their role more challenging, according to a national poll commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and conducted by YouGov.
One goal of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is to raise awareness about the critical role that caregivers play and what they experience.
Millions of Americans have communication disorders, which include speech, language, and hearing difficulties. The disorders are common in young children, school-aged children, and adults. Some people are born with them. Others acquire communication disorders later in life from various causes, including accidents or injuries, strokes, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancers of the head and neck. Communication difficulties can be a natural result of the aging process, too.
More than half (59%) of caregivers of people with communication difficulties say that daily life would be much easier if they could reduce communication breakdowns. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulty with speech or hearing in daily life, please contact