May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, created by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (AHSA). Its focus is to raise awareness about people with communication disorders and highlight the breadth of services provided by audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

According to AHSA:

• Eleven percent of children ages 3–6 experience a voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorder.
• About two to three of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
• Among school-aged children (6–19 years of age), almost 15 percent have some degree of hearing loss.
• Approximately 15 percent of American adults reported difficulty hearing.

In the early stages of hearing loss or diagnosis, it is essential for individuals to learn about proactive care options and educational resources for communication disorders. They can also benefit from understanding the role certified speech-language pathologists play in supporting individuals facing hearing loss. That is why building awareness through Better Hearing and Speech Month is vital.

Our work involves families with people who have hearing and speech-related disorders. Public Knowledge® believes in relentlessly promoting equity inside and outside of the firm. We do this by providing all the resources a person needs to communicate effectively and feel connected. This includes providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities like hearing loss. Our ongoing focus on our three core values of impact, connection, and teamwork intertwines with our priority of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.