Gebbie Clinics at Syracuse University introduce new supervisor, unveil newly renovated facility at open house May 5

Gebbie Clinics at Syracuse University introduce new supervisor, unveil newly renovated facility at open house May 5May 04, 2006Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

Each day, many people take for granted two activities that seem like second nature: hearing and speaking. But for the Gebbie Speech-Language-Hearing Clinics, the ability to do them successfully is at the heart of its mission. On May 5, the clinics will hold an open house from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., to acquaint the community with their variety of available services, view the newly renovated facility and introduce Ramani Voleti, the clinics’ newest speech-language supervisor. Visitors will also be able to speak with speech-language pathologists and audiologists about the clinic’s therapeutic and diagnostic services. The Gebbie Clinics is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) in The College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. Its facility is located on the lower level of the Gordon Hoople Building, at the corner of South Crouse Avenue and Marshall Street.

“The Gebbie clinics have been part of the SU and central New York community for over 35 years, says Raymond H. Colton, professor and chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “The clinics offer many innovative and unique programs to serve individuals with hearing, speech and language problems, no matter what their age. We are proud of our newly renovated facilities and hope that individuals who visit the clinic will enjoy their visit and be pleased with the quality of the services they receive.”

Voleti, a New York State-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist specializing in adult neuropathology, dysphagia and voice disorders, joined the clinic last winter. She is a graduate of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India, and Syracuse University. Prior to joining the Gebbie Clinics, Voleti completed training at the Syracuse VA Medical Center and worked at Bassett Health Care in Cooperstown, N.Y.

“The addition of Ms. Voleti and her expertise has allowed us to expand our services and provide quality care to a wider range of patients,” says Michelle P. Williams, Gebbie Clinic’s Speech-Language director. “Her work, in addition to the clinics’ completed renovations, has helped bring our program in a new direction.” Voleti joins a team of speech-language pathologists specializing in pediatric care.

The renovations to the clinics were supported by The College of Arts and Sciences and the department alumni fund. Thanks to that funding, the clinics were able to make renovations to the facility’s classrooms; children’s play room, interviewing and treatment rooms and reception area. One of the clinics’ goals during the renovation process was to make the spaces more welcoming, attractive and comfortable.

At the Gebbie Clinics, clients receive help with problems in any area of communication. Communication disorders treated include: language delay or disorders, articulation problems or phonological disorders, hearing impairment, stuttering, voice disorders, aphasia (a language disturbance often caused by stroke) and language learning disabilities. Speech language services provided include: diagnostic evaluations for clients ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens; individual and group speech therapy; counseling and coordinating referrals with other community agencies (when needed); and foreign accent modification. Available hearing services at the clinics include: audiological evaluations for children and adults; rehabilitation, training and education and programs to evaluate for, select and fit hearing aids.

The clinics are training sites for graduate students in the CSD program, who treat clients under the direct supervision of individuals certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the New York State Department of Education. The clinics also have a collaborative relationship with Upstate Medical University, whereby they provide services for patients requiring cochlear implants and professional voice therapy for professionals who depend on their voices in their careers, such as vocalists, teachers and attorneys.

In addition, the clinics participate in a number of programs that address communication problems in the community. The Gebbie staff works with SU’s Institute for Sensory Research, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital and local school districts and other agencies. It is involved with a newborn hearing screening at Crouse Hospital, and offers services to children who do not qualify for speech pathology assistance in public schools. The clinics offer SU faculty and staff access to hearing aid evaluation and fitting at a discounted rate as well. This year, a community outreach program sent Gebbie experts to a local metals company to conduct hearing testing for its employees, who are exposed to loud machinery on the job.

“It is a pleasure to help community members with hearing impairment,” says Joe Pellegrino, audiology clinic director. “Our efforts include prevention, assessment and rehabilitation for individuals with hearing loss. Being a training facility requires our clinical staff to stay abreast of the latest advances in the field. Our diagnostic equipment and assistive technologies, such as hearing aids, are always state of the art.”

Since it opened to the public in 1972, the Gebbie Clinics have been dedicated to providing speech-pathology and audiological services to children and adults in the Central New York area. They are named for the Gebbie Foundation of Jamestown, N.Y., which supports the arts, education, human services and community development. The clinics conduct diagnostic analysis, treatment and therapy for those who have difficulty with hearing, speech sound production, language, stuttering, vocal quality and feeding and swallowing. All services are performed on an outpatient basis.

For more information on the clinics, call 443-4485 or visit the clinics’ website at http://www-hl.syr.edu.