Communication Matters

If you know someone who is recovering from a stroke or other acquired brain injury, you may have experienced a heightened level of difficulty when participating in conversations. Aphasia, or language difficulties as a result of a stroke, can impact a person’s ability to express themselves or understand information. This breakdown in communication can lead to feelings of isolation and distress.

Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Support, Stroke, Caregiving, talking, Communication Access, Speech therapy, Stroke recovery, Aphasia

Take your time when speaking. Speak at your own pace. Even if your communication partner is speaking quickly, set your pace and take your time. Your message is important and deserves to be heard.

Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Support, Stroke, Caregiving, Brain Injury, talking, Communication Access, Speech therapy, Stroke recovery

You may find it challenging to access beneficial resources that allow you to properly care for your loved one. We have researched some at-home activities that encourage communication for adults who are recovering from a stroke or maintaining skills after a neurodegenerative diagnosis. These morning activities consist of routines that get you both up and moving and allow for independent participation.

Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Support, Caregiving, Brain Injury, Voice, talking, Speech therapy, Stroke recovery

As a caregiver, it is easy for us to overlook our own physical, mental and emotional needs as we care for others. This can quickly lead to feeling burned out, which would not be beneficial for us or our loved ones.

Tags: Communication, Support, Caregiving

Preparing to go home after a hospital stay is never easy, especially after having a stroke. It can be a very overwhelming process with new challenges in thinking, memory, and mobility. The length of your hospital stay after a stroke can range anywhere from a few days to months depending on the severity of the stroke and the support system in place at home. There are many feelings associated with going home, excited to be back home along with feelings of anxiety or worry.  

Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Support, Stroke, Brain Injury, talking, Speech therapy, Stroke recovery

Welcome to the first of a blog series on stroke recovery resource information from Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC). Topics of the series include first action steps following a stroke, benefits of speech therapy, communication strategies, tips for caregivers, and much more.

Tags: Speech, Language, Communication, Support, Stroke, Caregiving, Brain Injury, Voice, talking, Speech therapy, Stroke recovery

Very often, spouses and life-partners will suggest that their loved one has “selective” hearing – a self-made term indicating that they can hear perfectly fine most of the time, but tend not to hear their partner speaking. Is it simply a matter of “tuning out” – or could it be something else?

Tags: Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Communication, Hearing, Hearing Loss Prevention, Support, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss

After a stroke, the main focus for the patient, their family, friends, physicians, therapists and other health care professionals is often on their physical aspects. How far can the patient walk? Can the patient still get dressed with the use of just one hand? Can the patient safely swallow food and liquid without coughing or choking?  Will the patient need to use oxygen after discharge to home? These are all issues that are visible and obvious.

Tags: Communication, Support, Stroke, Caregiving, Brain Injury

Hearing loss generally happens gradually over a long period of time. Often, the subtle, and not so subtle, signs of hearing difficulty are more apparent to significant partners than it is to the person with the hearing loss. 

Tags: Hearing Aid, Hearing Aids, Hearing, Support, Caregiving, Hearing Loss, "ears"

A concussion is a mild form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.

It is a common opinion that concussions happen mostly to football players. However, they can also occur while playing other contact sports such as soccer, as a result of a vehicular accident, or during a fall.

Tags: Teens, Support, Brain Injury, toddler