Speech and Hearing Services

Our speech-language pathologists  are dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their communication skills. We offer comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for a variety of communication disorders, including:

• Language
  • Understanding what we hear or read
  • Using words to express thoughts or emotions
• Articulation
  • Correctly pronouncing sounds and forming words
• Cognitive-Communication
  • Improving attention, memory, organization, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Social Communication
  • Enhancing communication for social purposes and following conversational rules
• Voice
  • Addressing hoarseness, voice loss, speaking too loudly, or difficulty making sounds
• Fluency
  • Improving the flow of speech and managing stuttering
• Literacy
  • Addressing reading and writing difficulties associated with speech and language disorders
• Aural Rehabilitation
  • Collaborating with audiologists to improve communication and daily function for individuals with hearing loss

Conditions We Treat

• Patients with the following diagnoses may benefit from our services:
• Expressive or receptive language disorders
• Articulation or phonological disorders
• Cognitive-communication disorders
• Social communication disorders
• Aphasia
• Stuttering
• Dysarthria
• Apraxia
• Dysphonia
• Aural habilitation/rehabilitation associated with developmental delay
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
• Hearing impairment

Payment Options

We accept many insurance carriers and also offer private pay options. Our goal is to make quality speech-language services accessible to everyone.

If you or a loved one are experiencing communication difficulties, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Children begin to communicate from birth, gradually learning to understand and use language as they grow. These early speech and language skills form the foundation for developing literacy, including reading and writing skills.

Our Program

The University Health Partners of Hawaii Speech and Hearing Clinic offers a specialized program to promote emergent language and literacy skills in preschool children who are experiencing delays in their speech and language development.

Program Details

• Instructors: University of Hawai`i, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty and graduate student clinicians
• Participants: Groups of 4 children with parent observation and coaching.
• Age Range: 3 to 5 years old
• Duration: Six-week program, with a 2-hour session.
• Program Structure:
  • First session: Parent education
  • Following five sessions: Direct instruction for children
  • Group Size: Maximum of 4 children per group
• Program Availability: Call or email to register for the next opening.
• *Cost: $600

*Tuition scholarships are available for preschoolers enrolled in individual therapy in the UH Speech & Hearing Clinic through generous support from the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Oscar & Rosetta Fish Speech Therapy Fund. 

Register

To learn more about our early literacy program or to register, please email uhslp@ucera.org or call (808) 692-1580.

Our hearing services are designed to provide expert care for individuals experiencing hearing difficulties. From evaluation and treatment of hearing loss to specialized services such as tinnitus management and auditory processing skills assessment, dedicated team is committed to improving your hearing health in the following areas:

• Our hearing services are led by the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine, Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty and graduate student clinicians.

• Evaluation and Treatment of Hearing Loss: Our specialists provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for individuals experiencing hearing loss.

• Evaluation and Treatment of Tinnitus: We offer evaluations and treatments for tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears.

• Hearing Aid Fittings and Services: Our experts provide professional fittings for hearing aids and ongoing services to ensure their effectiveness.

• Aural Rehabilitation: We offer retraining programs to help individuals learn how to hear sounds effectively, enhancing their overall hearing experience.

• Interdisciplinary Approach for Auditory Processing Skills: Our team evaluates auditory processing skills and takes an interdisciplinary approach to address any issues.

Please check out our Audiology Services Brochure!

Speech Language Services

1. What payment options do you accept?

We accept many insurance carriers such as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, HMSA and UHA. We also offer private pay options. For a complete list of accepted insurance providers, please email uhslp@ucera.org or call (808) 692-1580.

Our goal is to make quality speech-language services accessible to everyone.

2. What are some signs of a Language Disorder?

Language disorders can manifest in various ways, and recognizing the signs is crucial for early intervention and support. Some common signs of a language disorder include:

• Delayed Speech and Language Development: Children may not reach developmental milestones related to speech and language, such as babbling, speaking first words, or combining words into sentences, at the expected ages.
• Limited Vocabulary: Difficulty learning and using new words, which can impact their ability to communicate effectively.
• Difficulty Understanding Spoken Language: Children may struggle to understand what others are saying to them, leading to misunderstandings and difficulty following directions.
• Difficulty Forming Sentences: Trouble putting words together to form clear and grammatically correct sentences.
• Limited Ability to Use Language for Social Interaction: Difficulty with conversations, taking turns, and understanding social cues.
• Speech Sound Errors: Pronunciation difficulties that persist past the expected age, making speech difficult to understand.
• Receptive Language Delays: Trouble understanding spoken language, leading to difficulties in following directions or understanding stories.
• Expressive Language Delays: Difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas, leading to limited or repetitive language use.
• Difficulty with Reading and Writing: Language disorders can also impact literacy skills, making it challenging to learn to read and write.

If you notice these signs in a child or adult, it’s important to consult with a speech-language pathologist for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate intervention. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with language disorders.

3. What Speech and Language conditions do you treat?

Patients with the following diagnoses may benefit from our services:

• Expressive or receptive language disorders
• Articulation or phonological disorders
• Cognitive-communication disorders
• Social communication disorders
• Aphasia
• Stuttering
• Dysarthria
• Apraxia
• Dysphonia
• Aural habilitation/rehabilitation associated with developmental delay
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
• Hearing impairment

For a full list of services, please call (808) 692-1580 or email us uhslp@ucera.org.

4. How can I schedule an appointment?

If you or a loved one are experiencing communication difficulties, we’re here to help. Contact us today at (808) 692-1580 or email us uhslp@ucera.org to schedule an appointment.

5. Are your services available for all ages?

Yes, our speech-language pathologists work with individuals of all ages, from infants to seniors, to improve communication skills and quality of life.

Early Literacy

1. Why is early literacy important?

Early literacy skills are crucial for a child’s development as they form the foundation for reading and writing. These skills begin to develop from birth and are essential for future academic success.

2. What is the goal of your early literacy program?

Our program aims to promote emergent language and literacy skills in preschool children who are experiencing delays in their speech and language development. The goal is to coach parents in supporting their child’s learning through fun and engaging activities focused on talking, listening, and enjoying books.

3. What are the benefits of the program?

There are many benefits to early literacy, including:

• Interactive Learning: Our small group format encourages children to interact with their peers, fostering social skills and collaboration.
• Parental Engagement: Parents have the opportunity to meet and network with other parents, creating a supportive community and sharing valuable insights.
• Enhanced Confidence: Children enjoy participating in the program, which helps them become more outgoing and confident in their abilities.
• Language Development: Through engaging activities, children’s language skills expand to include requesting, initiating, commenting, and responding, laying a strong foundation for future literacy.

4. How much does the program cost and how long does it last?

The program costs $600 and is a six-week program. Each session is 2 hours long, held weekly on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30. The first session is dedicated to parent education, followed by five sessions of direct instruction for children.

5. Who are the instructors of the program?

The program is conducted by the faculty and graduate student clinicians from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Communication Sciences and Disorders department.

6. How many children are in each group?

Each group consists of 5 children with parent observation and coaching.

7. What is the age range for the program?

The program is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years old.

8. What are the dates of the program and how often does it run?

The program runs every 6 weeks. Interested individuals can call (808) 692-1580 or email us at uhslp@ucera.org to register for the next opening.

9. How can I register for the program?

To learn more about our early literacy program or to register, please email uhslp@ucera.org or call (808) 692-1580.

Hearing Services

1. What services do your hearing specialists offer?

The range of services includes:

• Evaluation and Treatment of Hearing Loss: Our specialists provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for individuals experiencing hearing loss.
• Evaluation and Treatment of Tinnitus: We offer evaluations and treatments for tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears.
• Hearing Aid Fittings and Services: Our experts provide professional fittings for hearing aids and ongoing services to ensure their effectiveness.
• Aural Rehabilitation: We offer retraining programs to help individuals learn how to hear sounds effectively, enhancing their overall hearing experience.
• Interdisciplinary Approach for Auditory Processing Skills: Our team evaluates auditory processing skills and takes an interdisciplinary approach to address any issues.
• Hearing Screenings for Infants and Young Children: Using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE), a non-behavioral diagnostic tool, we provide hearing screenings for infants and young children.

2. Do you offer services for all age groups?

Yes, our services are available for individuals of all ages, from infants to seniors, who are experiencing hearing difficulties.

3. How can I schedule an appointment for your hearing services?

To schedule an appointment, please email uhslp@ucera.org or call (808) 692-1580.

4. Do you accept insurance for hearing services?

Yes, we accept many insurances such as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, HMSA and UHA. We also offer private pay options. For a complete list of accepted insurance providers, please email uhslp@ucera.org or call (808) 692-1580.