Speech therapy

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.

Most common diseases

The following disorders may require speech therapy:

  • Speaking disorders (aphasia)
  • Problems with speech (dysarthria)
  • Voice disorders (dysphonia)
  • Challenges with swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Facial motor dysfunction (facial paralysis)

Causes

Impairments can be caused by a stroke, tumours, neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases or cancer of the ear, nose and throat.

Treatment

After discussing medical history, the speech therapist conducts an assessment to evaluate communication, oral and written language, speech, voice and/or swallowing, as well as the impact of the disorders on the patient's daily life.

If necessary, the speech therapist will propose a personalised rehabilitation programme aimed at restoring, reorganising and/or compensating for deficits in order to restore a satisfactory quality of life.

Some examples of treatment:

  • Speech disorders can be rehabilitated through exercises and support from the therapist.
  • Special learning software is also used as a complement.
  • Exercises aimed at strengthening the motor skills of the mouth, tongue and face and the larynx are carried out to treat speech, voice and swallowing disorders as well as facial paralysis.
  • The use of special electrotherapy treatments, such as VitalStim, helps to improve swallowing.

Other areas of treatment are also available.

VitalStim® therapy – relearning how to swallow

Watch our video to see how VitalStim® therapy effectively helps people with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Gentle electrical stimulation activates the swallowing muscles in a targeted manner – for greater confidence and quality of life in everyday situations.

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