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/ CONTACT: Bobette BrownMay7, 2014 / PHONE: 858.675.5072
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Palomar Health Caregivers Team Up for Better Hearing and Speech Month
Efforts will focus on raising awareness about communication disorders and treatment
SAN DIEGO, CA – Palomar Health’s Chief Audiologist and Speech Pathologistswill join forces to promote Better Hearing and Speech Month this May, an annual celebration sponsored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
David Illich, Au.D., founder of North County’s Professional Hearing Associates, and Palomar Health Speech Pathology Supervisor Juliana Borgatti, will encourage staff at the healthcare system to pay special attention to two of their most precious abilities – hearing and speech. The duo have developedfree screenings for employees and visitors at Palomar Medical Center and Pomerado Hospital in an effort to help people identify hearing loss or speech and swallowing deficiencies and assist with treatment.
“Many people don’t realize that hearing loss is the third most common health problem for adults over age 50,” says Dr. Illich. “It’s very important for people to get baseline screenings of their hearing, before they begin to lose it. That way, audiologists can better diagnose and alleviate their specific problem once patients find they are ready for hearing devices.”
Dr. Illich will use a video otoscope to allow participants to see their ear canals and tympanic membranes. “In these types of screenings, it’s not unusual to find issues or growths that are impairing patients’ hearing. And very often, we can easily correct them,” he explains.
Palomar Health speech pathologists will also be on hand at the screenings to discuss speech and swallowing disorders that affect adults and children. Participants can also view videos of swallow studies performed by therapists.
“Every day we help people of all ages with swallowing issues, language impairmentor articulation disorders which may be a result of developmental disorders, neurological problems or trauma,” saysAnuja Kamdar, Palomar Health speech pathologist. “With therapy, exercises and adjustments in diet, we can help improve their social skills and ensure their confidence.”
The hearing and speech screenings will take place from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at:
Pomerado Hospital Café Palomar Medical Center Café
May 15 May 19
Borgatti and Dr. Illich will also reach out to Palomar Health physicians and nurses in May, encouraging them to send their patients for hearing and speech screenings when they find potential problems.
“We want people to be aware that we are able to detect, evaluate and treat adults and children with speech, language, cognitive and voice disorders, as well as difficulty with swallowing, which might impact day-to-day ability to function in these areas,”says Borgatti.
“Our goal is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy their lives to the fullest by hearing and communicating with their friends and loved ones,” adds Illich. “If we can convey that we are here to help them, then we will have accomplished a great deal.”
For more information, contact Palomar Health Rehabilitation Services at 760.739.3340.
About Palomar Health
Palomar Health is the most comprehensive health care delivery system in northern San Diego County and the first and only California member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. It is the largest public health-care district by area in the state, with more than 500,000 residents, and is governed by a publicly-elected board of directors. Palomar Health has several facilities serving North County, including hospitals in Escondido and Poway, expresscare health clinics in Escondido, Rancho Penasquitos, San Elijo Hills and Temecula, and a skilled nursing facility in Poway. The health system provides medical services in virtually all fields of medicine, including primary care, cardiovascular care, emergency services, trauma, cancer, orthopedics, women’s health, rehabilitation, robotic surgery and bariatric surgery. For more information about Palomar Health, please visit
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