About LISHA

WHAT IS LISHA?

The Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LISHA), founded in 1953, is a professional not-for-profit volunteer organization of over 1200 Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

THE ASSOCIATION:

Provides its members with educational and professional programs in the field of communication development and disorders
Promotes and maintains the highest professional and ethical standards within the profession
Offers a network of local professionals as a means of support
Supports research and improved educational standards
Encourages leadership roles and involvement within the organization and statewide associations
Advocates for the profession and also for individuals with communication disorders
Awards scholarships to graduate students in the field
Honors local organizations and treatment facilities

LISHA PROVIDES THE LONG ISLAND COMMUNITY WITH:

Resources for the community regarding speech-language and hearing issues
The latest information on legislative issues affecting individuals with disabilities
Speakers for school, community and professional groups
Public service announcements through our website
Responses to requests for information via the LISHA:
- Website: www.lisha.org
- Hotline: (516) 626-8000
- Fax: (631) 657-3480
- E-Mail: info@lisha.org
- Mail: PO Box 133, Mastic Beach, NY 11951-0133

VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is a great way to support an organization, and make a difference. It can also be an opportunity to meet people, learn new skills and share experiences, while serving your profession. Consider lending your time and talents to LISHA!

WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION DISORDER?

Speaking, hearing and understanding are essential to human existence. A disorder in one or more of these abilities can interfere with a person’s capacity to communicate, thus impacting overall quality of life.

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER?

Difficulty understanding spoken language
Difficulty expressing thoughts or ideas
Delayed language development in comparison to other children of the same age
Difficulty formulating sentences due to errors in grammar and/or syntax
Word retrieval problems or difficulty with recall of information
Incorrect production of sounds that affect speech intelligibility
A disturbance in the normal fluency and time patterning of speech production
Chronic vocal hoarseness and/or other disturbances of vocal productions
Difficulties with feeding, chewing, and/or swallowing
Demonstrating inappropriate social skills

WHAT ARE SOME INDICATORS OF A HEARING PROBLEM?

An inability to hear and respond to speech and environmental sounds
Conversation is misunderstood
Failure to respond to familiar sounds
Frequent requests to repeat what was said
Ringing or buzzing sensation in the ear
Increased difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise
Raising television or radio volume
Difficulty hearing while using the telephone

COMMUNICATION FACTS:

Early identification and evaluation of a communication disorder lead to appropriate treatment(s)
Infant hearing screening can detect a possible hearing loss
Many potential communication disorders can be diagnosed from birth
Unidentified or untreated communication disorders can have behavioral, educational, social and vocational consequences
Prompt treatment of adult communication disorders resulting from trauma can facilitate increased potential for recovery of previous skill
Exposure to loud noise can damage hearing ability
Assistive listening devices can supplement the use of a hearing aid for difficult listening situations such as TV, phone use, movie and live theater environments
Improved communication skills can facilitate better quality of life for clients and their families
Speech-language therapy contributes to academic success

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN AUDIOLOGIST OR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST?

Audiologists hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree, must be licensed by the State of New York and may be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and/or the American Academy of Audiology (AAA)As of 2007, the Au.D. has replaced Masters-level audiology programs as the entry-level degree.
Speech-Language Pathologists hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree, must be licensed by the State of New York, and may be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
Speech-Language Pathologists in public schools must hold New York State Education Department Licensure as a Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) or Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD)

WHAT DOES AN AUDIOLOGIST DO?

Audiologists are the primary health care professional who evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children by:

Fitting hearing aids and selecting FM systems
Evaluating for central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)
Aural rehabilitation
Assisting in cochlear implant programs
Performing ear or hearing related surgical monitoring
Designing and implementing hearing conservation and newborn hearing screening programs

WHAT DOES A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST DO?

Speech-Language Pathologists are professionals trained in the study of human communication and its normal development. The SLPs diagnose and treat individuals with difficulties in the following areas:

Language development-spoken and written language: cognition and understanding related to learning and maximizing potential
Articulation and phonology
Auditory reception/listening skills
Social/Pragmatic aspects of communication
Feeding/Swallowing/Dysphagia
Oral motor skills
Fluency/Stuttering/Cluttering
Voice production/vocal quality
Non-Verbal/Augmentative/Alternative communication and technology devices