Aural (Re)habilitation for Hearing Loss
UTHSC offers specialized Aural (Re)habilitation for families with children diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing as well as adults who have acquired deafness.
Children
UTHSC speech-language pathologists prioritize the Listening and Spoken Language communication approach in therapy sessions and focus on developing listening, speech, and spoken language skills. Therapy settings include individual and small groups. There is a strong emphasis on parent guidance and maximizing a child’s communication potential, no matter what type or degree of hearing loss is present.
Adults
When adults experience acquired deafness and elect to receive a cochlear implant, we recognize that their journey to restored hearing has just begun. Often, intense AR is required to maximize their listening and communication potential with their new device. UTHSC Speech-Language Pathologists incorporate functional treatment goals, driven specifically by the patient’s challenges in communicating at home, in social settings, and at work. The AR therapy is delivered on an individual basis, but patients are encouraged to become involved in a local AR support group.
In addition to AR services, we offer communication evaluations and pre/post-cochlear implant assessments. Our speech-language pathologists emphasize a collaborative, team-approach to serving their patients. In addition to working with in-house audiologists, we work closely with Knoxville’s implant surgeons.
Patient Feedback
"Admittedly, at first I was somewhat skeptical about 'speech therapy' as I felt I didn’t have a problem with my speech. This was a huge misconception on my part. The therapy helped me in so many different ways. With a hearing loss, the therapy sessions emphasized the importance of carefully listening to one’s conversation and to focus on the word’s phoneme. This proved to be a valuable tool for me. Not only did speech therapy retrain me in distinguishing sounds, etc., but they have restored my confidence. For years my hearing loss has limited my social life. While I knew that the implant would never replace my God-given hearing, I can say the experience has exceeded my expectations. I am so blessed and thankful that I have had this opportunity to improve my hearing. Thank you UT!"
-Shelia Bowman, Sevierville
Speech, Language, Swallowing, and Voice
- Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Aural (Re)habilitation for Hearing Loss
- Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Delay
- Feeding and Swallowing Issues
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Language Delay or Disorder
- Parkinson's Disease
- Reading/Writing Delay
- Speech Sound Disorder
- Stuttering
- Voice Disorder
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