Speech Therapy at Jefferson Hospital

Jefferson Hospital's Speech Pathology and Audiology Department, can help patients of all ages with communication difficulties related to speech, hearing, and swallowing. Whether the problems are congenital or occurred after an illness or injury, our certified specialists can develop an individualized treatment program that strives to enhance the patient's quality of life.

To make an appointment or learn more about our program, contact one of the following Jefferson Hospital Speech Therapy Locations:

Jefferson Hospital - (412) 469-5020
Jefferson Outpatient Services - (412) 650-6511

We can help patients with communication problems related to:

  • Stroke recovery
  • Speech/language delay
  • Laryngectomy
  • Voice problems
  • Stuttering
  • Dysphagia (swallowing)
  • Language of the learning disabled
  • Hearing impairment
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Articulation problems
  • Foreign dialect
  • Tongue thrust

As rehabilitation professionals, speech/language pathologists work closely with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, vocational counselors, social workers, and patient families.

Learn more about our

Services

We focus on developing an individualized treatment plan that is appropriate for the patient's age — from small children to seniors. Our patients and their families frequently use the following programs.

Alternative communication techniques and strategies

Appropriate prosthetic or adaptive devices for speaking

Diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders

Modified barium swallow study

A modified barium swallow study is used to assess a patient's ability to safety swallow food and liquid. A licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Radiologist perform the study to assess for aspiration or penetration of food or liquid and for any abnormalities in the swallowing function.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

Jefferson Hospital is a certified provider or VitalStim therapy which improves swallowing through the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. VitalStim therapy is provided by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist trained to provide NMES treatment concurrently with rehabilitation therapy to help re-educate the muscles involved in swallowing. The electricity stimulates inactive or atrophied swallowing muscles to aid in muscle strengthening and recruitment.

Speech and language therapy

Speech and Language Therapy involves the assessment and diagnosis of a patient's expressive and receptive language abilities. People often require intervention and treatment by a speech pathologist to improve communication skills following a neurological event such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury or a progressive neurological disease.

Cognitive therapy

Speech Language Pathologists can provide assessment and treatment for cognitive aspects of communication which can include impaired attention, memory, problem solving, or executive function deficits. Patients with dementia and acquired brain injury often benefit from strategies implemented from cognitive therapy.

Voice therapy

Voice Therapy is an approach to treating voice disorders that involves vocal and physical exercises coupled with behavioral changes. People with vocal nodules, vocal cord paralysis and polyps often benefit from these strategies.

Audiology services study

Jefferson Hospital offers audiological services by an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and state-licensed Audiologist. The audiologist is available to provide hearing assessments, recommendations for rehabilitative services, and provides consolation and referral services to patients. Some services include, audiometric testing, tympanometry, speech reception threshold and testing.

[Top]

Staff

Our program is staffed with speech pathologists certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Our speech pathologists are well-trained in diagnostic and treatment techniques. An ASHA-certified audiologist is also available for services.

[Top]

Location and appointment information

Therapy is available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. through early evening at two convenient South Hills locations. To make an appointment or learn more about our program, contact one of the following Jefferson Hospital Speech Therapy Locations:

Jefferson Hospital - (412) 469-5020
Jefferson Outpatient Services - (412) 650-6511

The program accepts referrals from physicians, social workers, family members, or directly from the individual seeking treatment. Most major insurance plans are accepted; a patient account advisor can assist patients without insurance or coverage for these services.

[Top]