Speech Therapy
Speech therapy addresses a variety of disorders that can affect our ability to eat safely, communicate well and process information efficiently. If you or someone you know is having trouble in any of these areas, come see UNC experts at one of our many locations.
Available Services
At UNC Medical Center all of our providers aim to provide outstanding care to all of our patients and their families.
Our skilled therapists provide expert care to children and adults in the following areas:
- Swallowing Assessment and Treatment
- MBSS (Modified Barium Swallow Study) - An x-ray video is taken while the patient swallows different consistencies of food and liquids that contain barium as a contrast material. A speech pathologist administers the food and liquids during the study, then reviews and interprets the video and makes diet recommendations.
- FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) - A speech pathologist passes a small scope through the patient's nose and down along the back wall of the throat. The study assesses the symptoms causing difficulties with swallowing, often referred as dysphagia.
- Passy Muir Speaking Valve Trials - This trial uses a one-way valve that fits onto the hub of a tracheostomy tube. During a speaking valve trial the speech pathologist assesses the patient's ability to tolerate the valve. Benefits include a louder voice, improved swallow, stronger cough, and increased oxygenation.
- Speech and Language Evaluations and Treatment
- Voice Evaluation and Treatment
- Pediatric Feeding Team Evaluation
- Laryngectomy Care
- Trismus Management
- LSVT
- Cognitive Evaluations and Treatment - Assessment of patients with traumatic or acquired brain injury, including concussion, tumors, strokes, and hypoxic/anoxic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therapists perform informal and standardized testing of cognitive-linguistic functions including attention, memory, executive functioning, and speech/language.
