Language is the bridge between individuals who connect, share, and collaborate ideas and feelings. Human beings are social animals with a fundamental need to communicate. The importance of effective communication across all levels of relationships and organizations in our lives has never been as profound as in a closely connected, rapidly-changing, diverse, and multicultural world. Whether you are at your workplace, educational institute, or at home, you need effective communication to flow like the blood inside our body to thrive in this world.
However, some do not possess the ability to communicate as they suffer from Speech-Language Disorder. It can be due to genetic syndromes, diseases, or injuries that damage the speech centers of the brain called the neocortex. The language and speech disorder in humans affects millions across the world; an estimated 1 in 6 individuals suffer from a communication impairment in their lifetime.
Communication sciences and disorder is the study of speech and language impairment concerning the nature and development of conversational abilities, the science behind speech impairment, the strategies and technologies that may help in diagnosis and rehabilitation. People who specialize in this field, study, assess, and treat individuals with a speech-related disability, such as cognitive issues. The usage of words as expressions, also known as aphasia, customs of social communication, reading difficulties, the stammering problem while speaking, and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), prevent articulation of words.
It has proved beneficial in the professional realm and the social aspect to assist people in speaking and expressing themselves clearly. To become a Communication disorder specialist, one needs to have some specialized knowledge and skills. The online communication disorder degree is a much-needed shot in the arm for those who wish to pursue a career in Speech and Language impairment and wish to yield substantial gains.The graduates of this program play a significant role in the healthcare industry, protruding in several different spheres with the object to enhance the speech-language and hearing abilities. It is one of the most demanded and promising fields in the healthcare system, making it one of the highest-paying professions.
Here are the seven job opportunities that a major in communication sciences and disorders can avail:
1. Audiologists
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who treat people with ear-related problems, such as hearing loss and balance. They perform diagnostic tests to identify and measure the hearing capabilities of an individual and the volume at which one picks the sound. Consequently, they treat patient’s hearing disorder using various procedures such as the fitting of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and ear canal cleaning. Audiologists determine the impact of hearing disorders on an individual’s life. Moreover, they teach communication strategies and train patients to use hearing instruments so they could manage life along with their impairment. The fast-growing demand for audiologists has increased job opportunities in this profession, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states their employment rate expected to rise by 16% between 2018 and 2028.
2. Hearing Instrument Specialist
Several ear-related impairments require hearing aids for the individuals to listen; this is where the hearing instrument specialist comes into play. You should research the qualification of hearing aid specialist before visiting their audiology clinic. These professionals measure and identify each patient’s hearing volume to design their hearing aids accordingly. Moreover, they guide the patients about the hearing instruments, providing them with a thorough counseling session.
3. Clinical Supervisor
The administrators of clinics and other health facilities are known as Clinical Supervisors. They tend to hire skilled, trained experts for each vacant position at the facility and carefully manage the needs of the patients. From pathologists to audiologists, they do proper surveillance of every staff to provide efficient patient care.
4. Speech Pathologists
Speech pathologists evaluate and manage individuals with an inability in language or have trouble swallowing that deters the articulation of words. SLP grads work in several environments around the world; including, Austria, Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, Malaysia, and the United States (U.S). They serve at various levels; including, School, Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Dentists, Pharmacies, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centres, Nursing Facilities, and Corporate firms. Experts rank Speech Pathologists at 18th position in Best Healthcare jobs, due to their stable career path. Moreover, their job opportunities mount to 27 percent from 2018-2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
5. Child Life Specialist
Children often suffer from speech and hearing impairment. At the same time, some are born with it; others acquire it from uncertain occurrences such as physical or psychological trauma, or chemical imbalances in the brain. Child life Specialists are qualified to treat children to cope with disturbing and challenging situations as they guide them to conquer their speech and language weaknesses and disorders in life.
6. Special Education Teacher
Graduates of Communication Disorder also work in schools as Special education professionals to instill basic literacy and life skills to students with special needs, such as autism, phonological disorder, articulation issues, aphasia, or aphonia. They design the curriculum according to the aptitude of such students to meet their cognitive capacities. These instructors work with such students to defeat their impairments and achieve academic, personal, and professional life milestones. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2018 survey, the average salary for these education instructors in kindergarten was $59,390, whereas they earn a median of $60,250 in middle schools.
7. Speech Therapists
A communication disorder can induce you to see a Speech Therapist so that you can heal by practice. Speech Therapists help you to articulate words, providing you the emotional and physical strength using communication exercises. They resolve various speech-related problems, hearing or reading comprehension, the difficulty to express in words, reading issues, the stuttering problem, and the swallowing dilemma.
Conclusion
People are better appreciating the necessity and advantages of a degree in Communication and Speech Disorder; therefore, more people have started to opt for this field. Speech disorder graduates play a crucial role in improving the lives of babies and adults. Whether you wish to become a Speech Pathologist or an Audiologists, Clinical Supervisor, or a Special Education Teacher, the number of opportunities for a Communication Disorder graduate is endless.