Last Updated: 11/19/1996
Welcome!
The Charleston Speech and Hearing Center is a non-profit agency providing services to persons with communication handicaps. The infant, the child, the teenager, the adult, the senior citizen, all may receive diagnosis, therapy, and counseling regardless of race, creed, religion, or ability to pay. The Center serves Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties with selected service being available to persons outside this region upon special arrangement. The Charleston Speech and Hearing Center is a community service agency which is both a diagnostic and treatment facility.
There are no age, geographical, or residency requirements although residents of the Trident area are given priority. All are eligible for a diagnostic evaluation who are suspected of having a language, speech or hearing impairment. All are eligible for services who can be expected to profit from the services. All patients are enrolled on a trial basis.
- Evaluation for hearing disorders and their potential effects on communication
- Recommendations and referrals based on the Audiological test results
- valuation for an dispensing of hearing aids Vestibular evaluation (electronystagmography)
- Evoked potential testing (Auditory Brainstem Response Examination and Electrocochleography)
- Industrial hearing conservation testing and consultation CAOHC sponsored Industrial Audiometric Technician Course Real Ear (Computer)
- Measurement of hearing aid function with instrument in ear
Speech/Language Pathology Services
- Evaluation and treatment of articulation disorders (i.e. developmental speech problems, dysarthria, apraxia)
- Evaluation and treatment of language/learning disorders (i.e. language delays, aphasia, auditory processing difficulties, verbal expression difficulties)
- Evaluation and treatment of fluency disorders ("Stuttering" i.e. normal vs. abnormal dysfluencies)
- Evaluation and treatment of voice disorders (i.e. aphonia/dysphonia due to vocal abuse, cleft palate, laryngectomy)
- Evaluation and treatment of communication disorders secondary to hearing impairment (i.e. sign language, aural rehabilitation, aural habilitation, speech reading, total communication, auditory-verbal therapy)
- Evaluation and treatment of dysphagia (i.e. swallowing problems due to CVA, trauma, head and neck cancer)
- Evaluation for, and implementation of augmentative/alternative communication systems (i.e. nonverbal communication systems such as eye gaze boards, communication boards, electronic voice output devices, computers)
Infant Hearing Screening Program
The Charleston Speech and Hearing Center now offers hearing screenings for babies as young as twenty-four hours of age. The test is administered while the infant is in a natural sleep and is absolutely painless. This special hearing testing instrument can detect even mild hearing losses. Early intervention is essential if the communication affects of hearing impairment are to be minimized.
Auditory-Verbal Program for Hearing Impaired Infants
The auditory-verbal approach focuses on the hearing impaired child learning to listen as the primary means of developing spoken language. Most hearing impaired children have some remaining hearing. With early identification (birth-5 years) of hearing loss and consistent use of hearing aids, a child can develop functional listening skills. Sign language and lip reading are not part of this approach. Teaching is on a one-to-one basis in a partnership of parent, child and professional working together.
Fees are charged for evaluation, re-evaluation, therapy, consultation, and counseling services. Often it is possible to arrange payment of fees through a sponsoring agency such as CHAMPUS, Home Health Services, Childrens Rehabilitation Services, Title XX, etc. Master Charge, VISA, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Payment is due at the time of service. A sliding fee schedule is available for those who are unable to pay. No one is denied service because of an inability to pay.
The Charleston Speech and Hearing Center, Inc. is a member agency of Trident United Way and is affiliated with the National Sertoma Foundation.
- Main Office: 3815 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston
- United Way Service Center, Summerville
- United Way Service Center, Moncks Corner
The Center is located on West Montague Avenue near the intersection of Dorchester Road. It is just seconds west of the Mark Clark Expressway. When traveling west on Montague Avenue, the Center is on the left. There is a large sign on the two story building.
- Phone: (803)552-1212
- Email: SpeechHear@Charleston.Net
More Information About The Charleston Speech and Hearing Center
This site designed and maintained by Michael Carnell.
Please send corrections and comments to: SpeechHear@Charleston.Net.