Mayo Clinic Health System celebrates better hearing and speech month in May.

May is better hearing and speech month, so it’s a perfect time to consider health care options available at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin.

According to a press release, new data shows that a majority of audiologists are seeing sufficient misuse of personal technology devices by children and teenagers, to the point that audiologists have serious concerns with kids’ communication health.

Mayo Clinic Health System local audiologists are urging parents to teach and model safe device listening to prevent irreversible lifelong hearing loss in their children. If a parent suspects their child may be having a hearing issue, they should seek a complete evaluation from a certified audiologist immediately to mitigate any potential negative consequences.

Audiology services at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin also include hearing and balance testing, newborn hearing screenings and hearing aid fitting and follow-up care.

Speech therapy services can assist children with a variety of needs, including — but not limited to — articulation delay, language delay, Down Syndrome, Autism, Apraxia and stuttering.

What if my child is already receiving services through school?

Mayo Clinic Health System speech pathologists see many children who are also receiving services through the school system.  They work closely with the school based speech therapists to achieve goals quicker with more carryover.

 

What if my child was tested through the school system but did not qualify? 

Your child may still be eligible to receive services at the medical center.  This can be addressed at the first evaluation session.

 

How are these services paid for?

Many insurance companies will pay for speech therapy services.  You should call your insurance company to better understand what is covered.

 

How do I get my child started with speech services at the medical center?

If your child has seen his or her provider recently, you simply need to call the provider’s nurse and request a referral to speech therapy through Patient Online Services. If your child has not been seen recently, please schedule an appointment with his or her provider to enquire about a referral. You will be contacted by the Rehabilitation services department to set up a speech therapy appointment when the referral has been made.