Did you know May is Better Speech and Hearing Month? I didn’t think so. But, maybe you did. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has sponsored several advertisements on the radio, in doctors’ offices and at schools to raise awareness about communication disorders. They want the public to know that anything that limits a person’s hearing, speech, or language abilities limits their life and a speech-language pathologist or audiologist can help!

Here’s an example of an advertisement you might hear this month on National Public Radio (NPR) regarding communication disorders:

Anything that impairs your ability to communicate limits your life. Yet 14 million Americans have a speech or language problem, and many do not know that they can be helped.

If you stutter, have problems pronouncing certain sounds, or don’t always understand what people say to you, you could have a speech or language problem.

People of all ages have these problems. With proper treatment you can eliminate or minimize their impact. If you need to know more about speech and language problems, call a speech-language pathologist this May, Better Hearing and Speech Month. To find a certified speech-language pathologist, phone 1-800-638-8255.

The author of the For Better or For Worse comic strip is also participating in the Better Speech and Hearing Month. One of her characters, Grandpa Jim, suffered a stroke in 2006 and has difficulty moving and communicating. Lately several of her comic strips have featured Grandpa Jim receiving speech therapy and physical therapy. It is kind of fun to read about speech therapy in the comics (well, for me anyway).

Happy Better Speech and Hearing Month everyone!