Oscar Said:

where can I find speech therapy?

We Answered:

Go to ASHA.org that's the American Speech and Hearing Association and click on the consumers link (general public link) and then click on the link that says find a therapist near you. These will be fully licensed and qualified speech-language pathologist and not likely to treat anyone as you report you were treated. In many states the "speech therapist" do not have to have the same level of training and certification in the public schools as they would in other settings. I don't know if that was the case for you or not but I'm truly sorry for your experience. I hope you get some help. With good therapy, problems such as yours can almost always be helped and hopefully you will be able to speak so that you will no longer suffer the frustration you are currently experiencing. I don't know exactly what your situation is so no real predicition can be made but I feel certain that a good properly qualified speech-language pathologist will be able to help you.

Jamie Said:

I'm anti-social because of my childhood experience. What steps should I take to be socially competent?

We Answered:

It really doesn't sound to me that your English language communication skills are as bad as you think, at least not in written form. And usually for people who learn English as a second language, their verbal communication skills are better than their writing skills. So perhaps your language skills are not as bad as you believe them to be. As for your childhood, kids can be so cruel. But, now that your an adult, you have the choice to just leave all that behind you - let it go. And today, right now, you have the choice to be whoever it is that you want to be. Believe it or not - you do. So stop focusing on what you think your not, and start focusing on who it is you want to be. What you focus on grows. I'm willing to bet that it's not that your co-workers don't like you, it's that they don't really know you, and that is why they probably don't talk to you much. Take the initiative and start talking to them more. The more you share with them, the more they will get to know you, and the more they will like you for who you are. After what you've been through, you are probably a very sensitive person who can really understand the feelings of others. Share this with people. Act like the person you want to be, and you will be that person. You can definitely be your own therapist. Take action, and the world is yours! Good luck and take care!!!

Irene Said:

What degree of hearing loss does one have to have to get a hearing aid?

We Answered:

Hi, I'm an Audiologist

There is no prerequisite degree of hearing loss for hearing aid fitting. There are mild gain instruments used by people who have no hearing loss, but have learning disabilities that make focusing on sound and speech difficult. By enhancing just the softer sounds of speech without making loud sounds any louder, the patients are better able to follow what is being said.

Prior to considering hearing aids, you may want to consult an ear surgeon to determine whether there are any reconstructive surgeries that might help your hearing. In most cases, the audiologist would want you to obtain otologic clearance for hearing aids prior to prescribing hearing aids for the first time - especially with a history of frequent ear infections, surgeries and scarring. If it is determined that surgery is not an option, or if you elect not to have surgery, you will want to consult an audiologist that will prescribe a device that is appropriate for your not only for your hearing loss, but your listening environments and lifestyle as well.

It is also important to have realistic expectations, as many factors can impair a person's ability to listen and comprehend that are beyond the capacity of a device that can only help with hearing acuity. As mentioned above, there are learning disabilities, neurological and psychological disorders that impair a person's ability to focus on, comprehend or remember what they have heard.