​Speech Therapy at The Christ Hospital 

Speaking requires your lips, teeth, tongue, palate, throat and brain to all work together to produce recognizable words. When any part of that process makes speech difficult, we can help.

The speech-language pathologists at The Christ Hospital Health Network assess, diagnose and treat disorders related to cognition, fluency, speech, swallowing, voice and language. Each specialist earned a master’s degree or higher and has been certified in the state in which they provide care.

Our team partners with you to provide a personalized care plan that takes your individual needs, abilities and goals into account. We provide the education and training for you and your family that helps you better manage your condition and improves your quality of life.

Inpatient and outpatient services

Services include: 

  • Swallow evaluation—a test to determine whether you have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).

  • Modified barium swallow study—a procedure to determine if liquid is entering your lungs (aspiration) that permits your doctor to observe your mouth and throat as you drink, chew and swallow.

  • Swallow therapy—exercises to improve the way you move and control food and liquid to decrease your chance of aspiration and enhance your swallow function.

  • Speech/language evaluation and treatment—an assessment of your ability to communicate, speak and understand language.

  • Speaking valve evaluation and treatment—care and training to use equipment that allows you to speak after a tracheostomy.

  • Cognitive evaluation and treatment—testing to determine how well your thought processes like memory, language, judgement and planning function and treatment to help them improve if necessary.

Specialty outpatient services

The speech-language pathologists at The Christ Hospital are certified to provide:

  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)—a program designed to improve the ability for people with Parkinson’s disease to speak more clearly and at the correct volume.

  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation—a procedure that uses small electric impulses to improve strength, circulation and range of motion in muscles that are weakened or paralyzed.

Conditions we treat

We treat a broad spectrum of ear, nose and throat disorders. Our wide range of expertise includes specialists in the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of cognition, communication and swallowing disorders.


Cognition and communication disorders

Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty with attention

  • Difficulty recalling recent or past events

  • Difficulty understanding others

  • Stuttering

  • Saying words in the incorrect order

  • Difficulty thinking of the correct word

  • Slurred or mumbled speech

Swallowing disorders

Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Coughing or choking when eating or drinking

  • Pain when swallowing

  • Recurrent pneumonia

  • Difficulty chewing food

  • Wet vocal quality after eating or drinking

  • Unexplained weight loss

Hours and location

Inpatient speech-language services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings.

To schedule an outpatient evaluation or treatment contact the Outpatient Therapy Office at 513-557-4969.

The Outpatient Services are located on the first floor of the Joint & Spine Center.