Although Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) this year is different than anything in recent (or distant!) memory, we hope that you’re taking advantage of the BHSM resources available to members. For the most part, we’ve recalibrated our BHSM materials this year around the impact of COVID-19 on persons with communication disorders.

In addition to covering topics such as ways to help people who stutter or have hearing loss in virtual meetings, BHSM 2020 is also focused on communication strategies for adults with hearing loss at home and managing swallowing disorders while sheltering in place.

Our previous post focused on audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children. This post provides resources from the ASHA Journals for professionals working with adults via telepractice.

For audiologists who are not accustomed to telepractice, a great place to find information is the special issue of the American Journal of Audiology that focuses on Internet and Audiology. This issue covers topics that may already be familiar to some clinicians, such as service delivery in rural communities or caring for older patients with hearing impairment who may not be able to leave their home. In addition, the issue also looks at internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and online support groups. You can read more about the special issue here.

 In addition to the special issue, the following articles highlight teleaudiology:

  • Audiological Care and Telehealth in Remote Alaska—With 59% of its population clinically underserved, telehealth—including teleaudiology—is a necessity in Alaska. This article focuses on teleaudiology in a remote region of Alaska and the role of hearing and communication in Alaska Native culture.

Preventing and managing vocal strain among professional voice users has long been a concern for SLPs. The articles below explore using a smartphone application to evaluate vocal strain—and the unique challenges inherent to cell phone and speakerphone use. The articles may be particularly applicable to virtual meetings, which are being held with much greater frequency because of the current stay-at-home orders.

Finally, the next three articles focus on SLPs who work with three unique populations. Each article covers both service delivery considerations and client satisfaction.

Although you may be spending this BHSM in a different way than you initially planned, we at the ASHA Journals know that ASHA-certified audiologists and SLPs are always growing and learning. If you haven’t already, you can read up on our BHSM resources for audiologists and SLPs working with children. For more on BHSM, check out http://www.asha.org/bhsm.