What Makes Us Unique

The Gallaudet University Hearing and Speech Center (GUHSC) serves culturally and linguistically diverse individuals of the Gallaudet Community and Washington DC metropolitan area. We provide accessible client-centered care using evidence-based practice while simultaneously giving our Doctoral Audiology (AuD) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduate students supervised, hands-on training. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized audiology, speech, and language services to clients across the lifespan.

Academics, Training, and Client Care in One

As a university training program with a deep tradition rooted in academic rigor, our faculty, staff, and students are knowledgeable and up to date on best practices and techniques when it comes to hearing and speech health care. Consequently, we are able to provide our clients access to the newest therapy techniques and approaches that are supported by evidence-based practice. As our faculty and staff are training a new generation of hearing and speech clinicians, we are very thoughtful about what we’re doing. In turn, this approach generates better therapy plans, as well as better short-term and long-term goals for all parties involved.

Rather than rushing a patient through the hearing health care process, we look at the individual holistically. Clients have expressed that they enjoy the education piece, because we take our time with explanations and descriptions. They appreciate our thoroughness and they like to see our students’ growth and success over time.

Diverse, Bilingual Environment

As a center of academia, Gallaudet University’s community includes a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff who are bilingual and of various cultural backgrounds. Our unique, bilingual environment is especially sought after for hearing and speech care, as we provide many different options to people from all walks of life. According to one member of our team: “As a clinician, I think what makes it special are the relationships I can develop with the families of my clients. As a clinical educator, the whole shaping of the next generation is pretty cool too.” Another perspective from one of the audiologists was that “Gallaudet provides a unique perspective on hearing loss and Deafness. Our clientele are both culturally and linguistically diverse and our audiologists are skilled at providing services in at least spoken English and American Sign Language. We respect that there are many ways to be d/Deaf** or Hard of Hearing.” Through language and care, personal relationships are formed, bolstering our holistic approach to treating the whole client.

** Please note that deaf refers to someone who audiologically is categorized as being deaf, while Deaf refers to someone whose preferred mode of communication is American Sign Language and considers him or herself to be part of the Deaf community.

People, Not Profits.

As a clinical and educational environment, GUHSC provide clients with client-driven care that are not profit-driven, while providing students with an opportunity to have hands-on clinical experiences. In this way, we are both client and student driven, with the focus on benefiting people and their lives.

We understand that the process to treating hearing and speech conditions is stressful enough – and as such we do not pressure our clients. We provide the best communication possible, truthful and honest evaluations and recommendations based off of needs, not sales, and compassionate, knowledgeable, and kind clinicians and students.

Furthermore, we are honored that our clients choose us, giving us the opportunity to interact with them for all of their hearing and speech needs. By working with clinicians in a training institution, client services are held to a high standard of evidence-based practice. Our services are informed by the latest research and best practices, at the forefront of academia, ensuring that our clients will always receive the best care. While we are happy to see our students graduate and flourish on their own, we have long-term staff with low turnover, ensuring continuity of care with our clients.

Visit Us at Gallaudet University

GUHSC provides a well-rounded approach to audiology and hearing health care. We take the time to listen to our client’s concerns and make recommendations based on their individual goals. Here, we understand that no two clients are alike. We care not only about providing well-rounded services, but also ensuring that our clients’ needs are met. We look forward to meeting you and meeting all of your hearing and speech needs.