WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s M. D. Steer Audiology and Speech-Language clinics are offering free hearing, speech and language screenings on May 27 as part of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

The screenings are from 9:00a to noon in Heavilon Hall, Room B-11, and are free and open to adults over the age of 18. Appointments are recommended and can be made in advance by calling 765-494-4229. Walk-ins will be based on availability.

The 15-minute screenings are performed by clinical instructors and graduate students from the M.D. Steer Audiology and Speech-Language Clinics. Goals of Better Hearing and Speech Month are to increase public awareness of hearing loss, the effects of noise on hearing, the effects of hearing loss on speech and language communication, as well as increase knowledge of speech and language development, speech and language communication disorders for adults resulting from disease or injury, swallowing disorders, and diagnostic and treatment options available.

The M.D. Steer Audiology and Speech-Language Clinics are home to a variety of professional diagnostic and rehabilitative services. A referral is not required for access to these services. All students in the accredited clinical programs gain clinical experience while working with patients under the direct supervision of their clinical faculty mentors.

The clinics are part of the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, which is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University researcher is looking for adults to participate in a speech perception study in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Participants will participate in a listening session that is one to three hours, and the compensation is $10 per hour. People interested in participating must be 18 years or older, be native speakers of American English, have normal hearing and normal or corrected-to-normal vision.

Karen Iler Kirk, professor of speech, language and hearing sciences, is leading the study. To participate, or for more information on the study, contact Lindsay Prusick, a graduate research assistant, at (765) 494-0948 or lprusick@purdue.edu

The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The Department of Speech, Languages and Hearing Sciences is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University researcher is seeking adults to participate in a listening study in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Karen Iler Kirk, professor of speech, language and hearing sciences, is leading the study. Participants will participate in four sessions, with each session lasting 60-90 minutes. Hearing and vision screenings will be completed during the first visit. Those who pass the screenings will be asked to identify voices while listening to sentences spoken by several different talkers.

People interested in participating must be ages 18-65, have no reported speech or hearing difficulties, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and be a native speaker of general American English. Compensation is $40 upon completion of four sessions.

To participate, or for more information on the study, contact Vidya Krull, a research assistant, at vganesh@purdue.edu .

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences is sponsoring a support group for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families.

The group sessions, which are free and open to the public, are 5-6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Westminster Village, 2741 N. Salisbury St., West Lafayette. Jessica Huber, an associate professor of speech, language and hearing sciences, is the facilitator.

Upcoming meeting topics include:

• Jan. 15. Firefly Room. Update on research in Parkinson’s disease. Doctoral student Megan MacPherson will talk about research that focuses on changes in intonation, which is the melody and pattern of speech.
• Feb. 19. Cardinal Room. General group discussion.
• March 19. Firefly Room. Cindy Krilitz of Sage Yoga will discuss how yoga can alleviate symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease.
• April 16. Firefly Room. Jeffrey Haddad, an assistant professor of health and kinesiology, will talk about changes to balance from Parkinson’s disease and aging.

The group also will meet May 21 and June 18.

For more information, call Huber at (765) 494-3796. The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.