Did you know that almost 42 million Americans suffer from a communication disorder—a problem with their speech, voice, language or hearing?  That number includes people in all stages of life, but those most likely to be affected are the most vulnerable in our society:  older adults and the very young.  May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) wants you to know that you can do something about communication disorders.

Each year, approximately 2 or 3 out of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. have a detectable hearing loss, a problem that can affect their speech, language, social and intellectual development.  Hearing loss increases with age, too; almost half of those 75 years old or older have hearing loss.

Early detection of hearing loss in newborns is especially critical.  Results from NIDCD-funded research show that if children with hearing loss are identified by 6 months of age and receive help early, they can make bigger strides in developing language skills than children whose hearing loss is identified later.

Treatment for hearing loss may include hearing aids or cochlear implants.  Adults and children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing can also learn to communicate using American Sign Language or cued speech, a system that uses hand shapes along with natural mouth movements to represent speech sounds.

If you think you are losing your hearing, see an audiologist, a professional who can measure your hearing, or an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose and throat, to have your hearing checked.

People can also have difficulty speaking, problems with their voice or trouble understanding and using language.  One language disorder called aphasia is often the result of a stroke that damages portions of the brain.  Speech and language disorders such as this can make it difficult to succeed in school or work, and can cause social problems as well.

The good news is that most people with speech and language problems can be helped.  A speech-language pathologist is a health professional trained to evaluate and treat people with voice, speech and language disorders.  A speech-language pathologist can help you improve or regain your capacity to speak and understand language.