How are the hearing and speech impaired rehabilitated?
Deafness may be caused by an illness, an injury or through genetic inheritance. Some people fall in the ‘hard of hearing’ category while others are deaf before they can learn a first language. Different levels of deafness require different procedures for rehabilitation. Check your level of hearing (External website that opens in a new window). When you walk into a deaf and dumb rehabilitation centre, a team that consists of audiologists, speech language pathologists, special educators, psychologists, social workers, ENT specialist, paediatrician and a neurologist will examine you. You may be recommended surgery or fitted with a hearing aid or ear mould depending on their diagnosis. Patients who are unable to speak will be given speech and language therapy that includes learning the sign language, lip reading and other behaviour modification tips to lead a normal life. Some patients may be prescribed medications. Counselling sessions that include the impaired and their family follow. Mo
