Trina Hrabe knows that local healthcare providers are aware of speech pathology and how it can help their patients. She also knows the field is evolving and wants to share new information about a variety of treatments.
The Central Kansas Medical Center speech-language pathologist has been observing Better Speech & Hearing Month throughout May by spreading the word about the many facets of speech pathology with healthcare providers. Alicia Westhoff, CKMC community relations coordinator, is her partner in this effort.
“When people think about speech pathology, they oftentimes think about helping youngsters learn to communicate better,” Hrabe said. “While that is certainly part of what we do, there is so much more.”
Speech pathology also involves cognitive training, swallowing rehabilitation and treatment of vocal cord dysfunction. Hrabe explained these three aspects.
Cognitive – CKMC offers specialized training to manage and treat cognitive impairments. This may benefit patients with memory deficits due to stroke, traumatic brain injury or the early onset of dementia.
“Our cognitive training can help patients focus so they can complete self-care tasks,” Hrabe said. “It also may involve memory strategies to remember appointments, problem solving to re-learn how to balance the checkbook and thought organization to help with conversation.”
Swallowing – This training helps in the treatment of swallow dysfunction; CKMC’s Rehab Services is the only department in the area offering VitalStim for such disorders.
“These treatments focus on ways to reduce or eliminate choking and the potential for aspiration,” Hrabe explained. “We offer education in positioning techniques, exercises and diet modifications. Muscle strengthening and coordination for improved swallowing is also included.”
Vocal cord dysfunction – Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chronic cough/throat clearing or a feeling of a foreign object in the throat.
“CKMC’s speech pathologists have extensive experience in evaluation and treatment of vocal cord problems,” Hrabe said. “We teach patients to differentiate such dysfunction from an asthma attack or bronchospasm. There are also strategies to reduce or eliminate the symptoms and exercises to retrain vocal-cord movement.
“We can help patients by decreasing the number of trips to the Emergency Room and the use of medications due to shortness of breath,” Hrabe added. “The patient is able to engage in exercise or sports without fear of not being able to breathe.” |
