Children at risk for hearing and speech disorders can’t always access the clinical evaluation and follow-up care they need. A new mobile hearing and speech clinic helps solve that problem for the greater St. Louis area.
The new mobile hearing and speech clinic was delivered to St. Louis Children’s Hospital Feb. 20. The unit is 44 feet long and contains three patient areas: a multipurpose room; a patient intake and hearing device programing area; and a double-walled sound booth. A wheelchair lift provides full accessibility for all patients.
The mobile unit will serve children from birth to 21 years old who are at risk for hearing difficulties or diagnosed with hearing impairment. It will operate year-round, Monday through Friday, and travel throughout a three-hour radius of St. Louis.
Jamie Cadieux, Children’s Hospital Supervisor of Audiology and Cochlear , said, “Our team is grateful to be provided this resource and the opportunity to partner with surrounding communities. We are thrilled to provide hearing and speech services to children in need, who otherwise would not have access to these resources.”
Children’s Hospital is partnering with other hospitals, private medical practices, schools, therapists and state entities to provide hearing health support to a wide variety of communities. Groups interested in scheduling a visit from the mobile unit can contact Children’s Hospital Supervisor of Audiology and Cochlear Implants Jamie Cadieux, AuD, at 314-454-2503 or Jamie.Cadieux@bjc.org. Parents with questions regarding the unit’s location or schedule can call the scheduling team directly at 314-454-6171, option 2, option 1.