Being able to effectively communicate your thoughts to others is one of the most important skills that you can possess. Unfortunately, there are a variety of problems that can be encountered that may severely impede your ability to speak clearly. When these issues arise, it may be necessary to seek the services of a speech language pathologist. However, if you are unfamiliar with these services, it is important for you to have a thorough understanding of the following two questions. 

Why Is Hearing Tested When Speech Problems Are Suspected?

When you first visit your speech pathologist, you may be shocked to learn that your hearing will be one of the first things evaluated. However, this is necessary because the way that you pronounce your words will be impacted by how well you are able to hear. 

In instances where severe hearing loss is a major factor in the speech problem, it will be necessary to treat the underlying problem before starting therapy lessons. This is necessary for determining the extent and nature of the problem, which will play a critical role in determining the appropriate treatment for the issue. 

Do Speech Language Therapists Only Help With Pronunciation?

There is a common assumption that these professionals only help their patients to learn how to properly pronounce words. While it is true that this is a major part of the treatment for many conditions, speech language pathologists provide a whole host of other treatment services. 

For example, there are many speech issues that may inhibit a person's ability to form their sentences. Whether it is due to a brain injury or developmental disorder, this can be a debilitating problem to have. Luckily, a speech pathologist can work with their patient to help them learn how to translate their thoughts into words and sentences. For those that need this type of therapy, it can be extremely lengthy, but there may be no other option for those suffering from these problems. 

For those that are unfortunate enough to suffer from speech problems, it may seem like there is no practical treatment option available. Luckily, speech pathologists are able to provide their patients with the care and therapy needed to correct speech problems. However, learning the important relationship between hearing and speech as well as the different types of treatments speech pathologists can offer their patients can help you to make an informed decision about pursuing this type of treatment. Doctors such as Felix M. DiPalma, M.S. can help answer many of your speech pathology questions.