By LYDIA EARHART

Staff Writer

If Logan Grisson, a sophomore nutrition and dietetics major, had not known of the Speech and Hearing Center, she would have had to go a week without her hearing aid.

The Speech and Hearing Center helps students like Grisson with speech, language and hearing problems. The center helped Grisson order a new hearing aid.

"I depend on my hearing aid to get me through the day," Grisson said. "Without my hearing aid I wouldn't have any way to communicate with any of my friends here."

The Speech and Hearing Center is located on the first floor of Robinson Hall and is open to the public for free.

"Most people don't know that we exist," Dr. Angie Sherman, an assistant professor of speech, said. "It's sad to see students dealing with these problems and not knowing where to turn for help."

The center offers a variety of services ranging from audiological services to speech-language services.

Dr. Clarice Dans, head of the department of speech and a professor of speech, said the center provides evaluations and treatment services to children and adults with speech, language and hearing disorders. Disorders the center evaluates include stuttering, articulation and hearing impairments.

"We evaluate students who don't even know they have a disorder," Sherman said. "We treat people who are in need of these services."

Sherman said the center helps people from two years of age, when babbling begins, through 90 years of age.

"It's interesting with the gamut of age span that we provide service to," Sherman said.

The center also provides services to international students who have trouble speaking English.

"We help the international students make the transition from their native language to communicating in a new language," Dans said.

A class helping international students speak English is offered on Friday mornings. Students can sign up at the speech and Hearing Center.

Students pursuing a career in speech will gain experience by testing fellow students, with the assistance of a licensed professional.

"If you have hearing loss or need a hearing check you can call and set up an appointment," Dans said.

Appointments are scheduled between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Robinson Hall.

For more information, contact Sherman at 257-4764.