Speech-Language Pathology (Speech Therapist) and Audiologist

Speech-Language Pathology is a professional specialisation dealing with the assessment and remediation of communication disorders, including disorders of sound production and language learning, voice disorders, swallowing disorders, stuttering and disorders of speech and language following strokes, accidents, mental retardation and autism.

Audiology is the professional specialisation dealing with deafness and hearing loss.

The professional in this field assesses hearing, fits hearing instruments, manages speech and languages problems of the hard-of-hearing and deals with noise measurement and control

The speech-language pathologist (speech therapist) and audiologist works with children and adults, ranging from infants to geriatric patients, to meet their communication needs. Importantly, they also work closely with the parents, teachers and caregivers of such patients.

They are very often part of a team that can include doctors, social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, teachers and parents.

Job Characteristics

• Identifying a patient’s communication problems such as stuttering, deafness, loss of voice, cleft palate, brain injury, laryngectomy and inadequate speech and language development.



• Assessing the cause of these difficulties by using special equipment, tests and skills.



• Using exercises, activities and home programs to help improve the patient’s communication skills, once a problem is identified.



• Involving the parents, caregivers and teachers as part of the treatment programme to help the patient reach predetermined treatment objectives.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of at least a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with outstanding marks and matriculation exemption is required to be accepted by South African universities. All candidates are subjected to a strict selection process.
 
Compulsory subjects
Mathematics and Physical Science at some universities (South Africa)

Recommended subjects
Biology, Mathematics and Physical Science by most universities (South Africa)
 
Tertiary Education
The Universities of Cape Town, Durban-Westville, Pretoria, Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch offer a full-time 4-year degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (referred to as Speech and Hearing Therapy or Logopaedics by some universities).

Obtaining the degree results in registration with the HPCSA. These courses are not offered in Namibia, but candidates who would like to practise in Namibia, must be registered by the MHSS in terms of the Allied Health Services Professions Act. 

Personality
Above-average academic ability is needed, particularly in the scientific field. Warmth, sensitivity and a special interest in helping people are essential, as is the ability to establish a good relationship with others, particularly children.

Work Opportunities
Major employers are speech and hearing clinics, hospitals and special schools and centres for the handicapped. Some professionals work for specialist medical practitioners or open their own practices. In Namibia the majority of posts are with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Directorate of Special Education of the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture.

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