Marshall University’s Speech and Hearing center, located on the first floor of Smith Hall, is being reconstructed for the students and community.

This fall, the Department of Communication Disorders will join with the College of Arts and Media to expand special areas of the MUSHC. Services are being provided through the college of health professions.

“The clinic will be updated, more treatment rooms, better observation areas for parents and students. The therapy rooms will be larger and have better acoustical properties,” said Karen McNealy, Chair of the Department of Communications.

MUSHC provides services to clients of all ages, from Marshall University Community or the community at large.

“We’re all really excited.” said McNealy. “I think that it will not only serve the department well and our students but it will also be nice for the community and for the Marshall’s campus because it’s going to enhance the first floor.”

“Part of this expansion involves a new sensory gym.” said Pam Holland, Director of Clinical Education.

“A lot of children that we see at our clinic have a variety of disorders and sometimes find it a little challenging to sit at a table so we want to provide a fun environment for children to move their bodies while they communicate.” said Holland.

“The sensory gym will be more of a movement room while staff engages them in language stimulation.” said Holland.

“For instance a lot of them have sensory integration disorder, sensory processing difficulty, so we might have them in a ball pit or on a swing while trying to stimulate their language and their speech.” said Holland.

Special areas of the MUSHC, located on the third floor of Smith Hall, are finished. MUSHC have attached the audio logical suite next to the Luke Lee Listening, Language and Learning Lab.

The MU Speech and Hearing Clinic, located on the first floor of Smith Hall, will be open by Spring 2016.

If you have any questions about the clinic you may contact the Marshall Speech and Hearing office, (304) 969-3641.

Brianna can be contacted at [email protected]