Speech therapists advise, examine and treat patients who suffer from neurological impairment of the speech centre, but also from ENT problems or other peripheral impairments.
The following disorders may require speech therapy:
Impairments can be caused by a stroke, tumours, neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases or cancer of the ear, nose and throat.
After taking a medical history, the speech and language therapist will prepare an assessment that evaluates communication, spoken and written language, speech, voice and/or swallowing, and the impact of the disorders on the patient's daily life.
If necessary, the speech therapist proposes an individualised rehabilitation programme aimed at restoring, reorganising and/or compensating for deficits in order to regain a satisfactory quality of life.
Rehabilitation of speech disorders is done through exercises and support from the therapist. Special educational software is used as a supplement.
Exercises that strengthen mouth, speech and laryngeal motor skills are used to treat speech, voice and swallowing disorders as well as facial paralysis.
The use of special electrotherapy treatments supports the improvement of swallowing ability.
