National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, UW-Madison Chapter

NSSLHA exists to provide guidance and resources to students interested in the fields of speech/language pathology and audiology. Involvement in NSSLHA leads to a fuller appreciation of the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology and a greater awareness of the issues affecting these fields

• To encourage professional interest among college and university students in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior.

• To assist college and university departments and local organizations interested in speech, hearing, and language behavior and disorders.

• To provide professional information.

• To provide a vehicle for student representation in matters of professional concern.

• To develop leadership skills for students. Many NSSLHA chapter presidents go on to assume leadership roles on the NSSLHA executive council and in ASHA or the state associations.

What is Audiology?

"Audiologists are autonomous professionals who identify, assess, and manage disorders of the auditory, balance, and other neural systems. Audiologists provide audiological (aural) rehabilitation to children and adults across the entire age span. Audiologists select, fit, and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. Audiologists prevent hearing loss through the provision and fitting of hearing protective devices, consultation on the effects of noise on hearing, and consumer education. Audiologists are involved in auditory and related research pertinent to the prevention, identification, and management of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance system dysfunction. Audiologists serve as expert witnesses in litigation related to their areas of expertise."

"Audiologists provide services in private practice; medical settings such as hospitals and physicians' office; community hearing and speech centers; managed care systems; industry; the military; home health, subacute rehabilitation, long-term care and intermediate-care facilities; and school systems. Audiologists provide academic education in universities to students and practitioners in audiology, to medical and surgical students and residents, and to other related professionals. Such education pertains to the identification, assessment, and nonmedical management of auditory, balance, and related disorders."

Definition provided by the Scope of Practice in Audiology

What is Speech Language Pathology?

"The practice of speech-language pathology includes prevention, diagnosis, habilitation, and rehabilitation of communication, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive disorders; elective modification of communication behaviors; and enhancement of communication. This includes services that address the dimensions of body structure and function, activity, and/or participation as proposed by the World Health Organization model (WHO, 2000)."

National membership is available to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students enrolled full- or part-time in a communication sciences program or related major.