Patients who have had difficulties improving their hearing and comprehension through the usual therapies may benefit from computer programs such as Fast ForWord and Earobics available since last fall at the WSU clinic. Fast ForWord helps people who hear well but can't process the message they have heard by slowing down the sounds of speech. After the patient is able to perceive the sound at a slower speed, the program gradually speeds sounds up to normal speed. Fast ForWord is the most intensive computer program the clinic has. Training with the program usually lasts four to six weeks for two hours per day.
Most patients are able to improve their attention, reading and listening skills.
While the majority of the WSU clinic patients using these programs are children, many adults also benefit from the therapy. The WSU Speech and Hearing Clinic provides services to the public and clinical experience for students in the department of speech and hearing sciences. The clinic provides comprehensive evaluations for speech, language and hearing problems. Clinical staff also help fit hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Therapy is offered to treat a broad range of communication problems including speech sound production errors, stuttering, language and speech perceptual deficits associated with hearing impairment, and auditory processing problems related to language and learning disabilities.