To make an appointment or learn more about our program, contact one of the following Jefferson Hospital Speech Therapy Locations:
Jefferson Hospital - (412) 469-5020
Jefferson Outpatient Services - (412) 650-6511
We can help patients with communication problems related to:
As rehabilitation professionals, speech/language pathologists work closely with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, vocational counselors, social workers, and patient families.
We focus on developing an individualized treatment plan that is appropriate for the patient's age — from small children to seniors. Our patients and their families frequently use the following programs.
Alternative communication techniques and strategies
Appropriate prosthetic or adaptive devices for speaking
Diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders
A modified barium swallow study is used to assess a patient's ability to safety swallow food and liquid. A licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Radiologist perform the study to assess for aspiration or penetration of food or liquid and for any abnormalities in the swallowing function.
Jefferson Hospital is a certified provider or VitalStim therapy which improves swallowing through the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. VitalStim therapy is provided by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist trained to provide NMES treatment concurrently with rehabilitation therapy to help re-educate the muscles involved in swallowing. The electricity stimulates inactive or atrophied swallowing muscles to aid in muscle strengthening and recruitment.
Speech and Language Therapy involves the assessment and diagnosis of a patient's expressive and receptive language abilities. People often require intervention and treatment by a speech pathologist to improve communication skills following a neurological event such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury or a progressive neurological disease.
Speech Language Pathologists can provide assessment and treatment for cognitive aspects of communication which can include impaired attention, memory, problem solving, or executive function deficits. Patients with dementia and acquired brain injury often benefit from strategies implemented from cognitive therapy.
Voice Therapy is an approach to treating voice disorders that involves vocal and physical exercises coupled with behavioral changes. People with vocal nodules, vocal cord paralysis and polyps often benefit from these strategies.
Jefferson Hospital offers audiological services by an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and state-licensed Audiologist. The audiologist is available to provide hearing assessments, recommendations for rehabilitative services, and provides consolation and referral services to patients. Some services include, audiometric testing, tympanometry, speech reception threshold and testing.
Our program is staffed with speech pathologists certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Our speech pathologists are well-trained in diagnostic and treatment techniques. An ASHA-certified audiologist is also available for services.
Therapy is available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. through early evening at two convenient South Hills locations. To make an appointment or learn more about our program, contact one of the following Jefferson Hospital Speech Therapy Locations:
Jefferson Hospital - (412) 469-5020
Jefferson Outpatient Services - (412) 650-6511
The program accepts referrals from physicians, social workers, family members, or directly from the individual seeking treatment. Most major insurance plans are accepted; a patient account advisor can assist patients without insurance or coverage for these services.
