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Clay County clinic offers speech, language and hearing services

Mention the Clay County Public Health Center, and thoughts often turn to immunizations, medical care for the indigent and food service inspections.

What many may not know is that the health center also offers assistance with speech and language challenges.

“Our speech outpatient clinic is the only one in Clay County,” said Catherine Noel, coordinator of the Speech and Hearing Clinic. “We offer evaluations and treatment.”

She said there are parent observation areas within the clinic, and the speech-language pathologists work with parents on ways they can assist their children at home.

Noel said they are currently seeing 45 to 50 clients a week on an individualized basis.

Although no referral is required for services, the clinic does accept referrals from doctors, schools and individuals, according to information supplied by the health center.

Families at the clinic come from across the economic spectrum with most of the clients being young children.

Noel said early intervention for children is critical where speech and language challenges are concerned.

“Children learn 80 percent of their language skills in the first three years of their life,” Noel said. “That’s why it’s important to have them flagged right away.”

Noel said one indicator for parents of potential problems is if their child isn’t at least verbalizing by the time they are from 18 months to two years old.

She said children who don’t receive early intervention can become frustrated, have difficulty learning, behavioral problems and withdraw in social situations.

The director is concerned there are children who now may not be receiving that early intervention because of the economy.

While having no definitive proof, she said a drop in clients has occurred with the economic downturn.

Noel said all clients at the clinic pay a set fee, which is significantly lower than at other area facilities. She is concerned, though, that may be even too much for some families.

That’s why the clinic is seeking contributions to keep treatment available for those who need it.

One of the groups that recently stepped forward to provide assistance is the Liberty Sertoma Club.

Noel said the group’s contributions, which total more than $8,000, has allowed the clinic to provide 275 sessions for 40 children.

She is hopeful that more organizations and individuals are able to step forward to keep children from falling back.

To contact Noel for additional information, call 595-4307 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

HEARING SCREENINGS

Hearing screenings are available for adults and children by appointment and consist of:

- Otoscopic examination

- Pure tone audiogram with thresholds determined

- Audiometric evaluation of middle ear function

Source: Clay County Public Health Center

Senior writer Mark Johnson can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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