Editor, The Times:
Why do the Royal Purple and Elks recognize May as hearing and speech month?
Here are some excellent reasons from Elks Canada!
• Early detection of hearing and speech disorders is everyone’s responsibility
• Early detection is critical
• Children are at risk of developing social, emotional, behavioral and/or learning problems is speech, language and/or hearing problems are not identified early
• Difficulties with communication affect not only the child but the entire family
• Children learn speech and language from listening to others. When a hearing loss exists, the child does not get the full benefit of language learning experience
• Hearing and speech month is the opportunity to tell everyone about the positive impact audiologists and speech language pathologists and supportive personnel have to help Canadian’s communicate
What can you do to promote communication? In your conversation with others:
• Be a model for correct pronunciation
• Listen carefully and five the person enough time to speak
• Don’t interrupt
• Use a slow, natural rate of speech
• Use open- ended questions in your conversations
• If you think that someone you know has a hearing problem encourage him/her to see a family physician or audiologist
• Talk about it. Hearing problems are not taboo. It can happen to anybody.
Jean Gross
Royal Purple
Clearwater, B.C.
