SCHS CELEBRATES HEARING, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE AWARENESS MONTH
Every year in May, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) observes Hearing, Speech and Language Awareness Month, a global event. In addition to highlighting the value of early detection and intervention in treating hearing, speech, and language impairments and enhancing quality of life, the activity seeks to raise community awareness of the significance of communication and hearing health.
In addition to emphasizing the critical role of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, commemorating this worldwide event is consistent with efforts to consolidate the significance of human communication and to promote the role of family, school, and society in supporting people with communication disorders.
Specialized Services According to the Latest Standards
The Sharjah City Hearing Center continues to provide its specialized services in assessing, diagnosing and treating hearing disorders according to the latest scientific standards, through integrated programs targeting different age groups, and contributing to enhancing the quality of life and social integration of beneficiaries.
SCHS includes a select group of qualified specialists in the fields of audiology, speech and language. Through the Sharjah City Audiology Center, it offers a diverse range of services including hearing tests, communication ability assessments, auditory and language rehabilitation programs, in addition to monitoring users of hearing devices and providing support and guidance to families and caregivers.
The center is also keen to employ the latest technologies and advanced medical equipment in the diagnostic and rehabilitation processes, in order to ensure the provision of quality services that contribute to supporting beneficiaries and enabling them to practice their daily lives more independently and effectively.
Raising Awareness of the Importance of Early Detection
In this regard, Mrs. Marwa Abdel Fattah Madi, Head of the Sharjah City Hearing Center, has confirmed that commemorating Hearing, Speech, and Language Awareness Month is a significant chance to raise community awareness of the significance of early detection and successful therapeutic intervention. She has stated that the center is eager to carry out awareness and educational programs every year that target families, caregivers, and educational institutions.
She said, “This year we are working to enhance communication with caregivers of people with hearing disabilities in private centers and schools, with the aim of introducing the center’s services, emphasizing the importance of early detection, in addition to highlighting the role of modern technologies and advanced hearing devices in improving the quality of life and enabling people with hearing disabilities to actively integrate into society.”
She added that technological progress in the field of audiology has greatly contributed to the development of therapeutic and rehabilitative solutions, which has positively impacted the educational, social and communication capabilities of beneficiaries, stressing the importance of concerted efforts between health and educational institutions and families to ensure the provision of the best means of support and care.
Awareness and Community Initiatives
This year’s celebration program includes a range of awareness activities and initiatives aimed at raising awareness of hearing health and communication disorders, as well as highlighting the importance of early intervention and its role in reducing the effects of hearing, speech and language disorders.
Through these initiatives, the center also seeks to promote a culture of social inclusion, support people with hearing disabilities, and enable them to access specialized services that help them develop communication skills and participate effectively in society.
A Humanitarian and Professional Message
These events are organized as part of SCHS' commitment to its humanitarian and professional mission of supporting and empowering people with disabilities, and promoting their right to effective communication and full participation in society. Through its diverse programs and initiatives, SCHS also seeks to develop communication skills for all and provide supportive environments that enable people with disabilities to express their abilities and potential, thus contributing to their independence and social integration.
Speech and Language Council
For her part, Mrs. Hala Khaled Halawa, Head of the Speech and Language Council at SCHS, confirmed that, within the framework of its interest in developing communication and language skills, SCHS includes a specialized team consisting of twenty one Speech and language specialists of various nationalities, distributed across different departments and branches, work to provide assessment, diagnosis and early intervention services, in addition to individual and group sessions aimed at developing students’ language and communication skills, and enabling them to reach the maximum possible level of development and independence in communication.
Specialists also make sure to support families through guidance sessions, which contributes to transferring the specialist's expertise to the home environment and promoting the continuity of training and follow-up within the home.
SCHS places great importance on community awareness by organizing lectures and workshops aimed at families and schools, with the goal of spreading awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and intervention and supporting people with communication and language disorders, and emphasizing the importance of observing early indicators of language delay or communication difficulties, given the significant impact this has on improving opportunities for development and academic and social integration.