Finally, pathologists also help people who have eating difficulties caused by muscle control problems. When assessing patient abilities, speech-language pathologists use oral and written tests. They also use special instruments that record and analyze speech problems. For people who have little or no speech, pathologists help them use other methods for communication. For example, they may teach patients to use sign language or read lips.
Pathologists teach other patients how to make sounds or increase their language skills.
Audiologists work with people who have hearing and related problems. They use various testing devices with their patients. They determine how loud sounds must be for patients to hear them. They also test patients' ability to distinguish between sounds. Treatments vary by the type of hearing disorder.