The Old Dominion University Speech and Hearing Clinic provides diagnostic and speech therapy services for adults and children with speech, language, and hearing disorders. The ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic is part of the MS in Speech-Language Pathology education program which is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The clinic staff maintains high standards in the provision of comprehensive assessment and intervention services. Services are provided by students in the graduate program under direct supervision of speech-pathology faculty certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA) and licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Common Speech-Language Disorders Treated

  • Articulation
  • Language, including pragmatics
  • Aphasia
  • Voice
  • Fluency/stuttering
  • Phonological disorders
  • Language-based reading deficits
  • Aural habilitation and rehabilitation
  • Accent modification/Pronunciation improvement

Tidewater Scottish Rite Childhood Speech and Language Center

Since 1992, we have been supported by Tidewater Scottish Rite to provide services to children with speech and language disorders. This clinic is part of the RiteCare® Childhood Language Program sponsored by the Scottish Rite across the United States. We also sponsor a Scottish Rite summer therapy program. Therapy scholarships are available through this generous support. Through the generosity of Scottish Rite, we are able to offer therapy scholarships to children in need of speech and language services.

Assessments

Diagnostics can be scheduled to evaluate for speech and language disorders or differences. Standardized tests will be administered along with nonstandardized tools and a hearing screening to identify contributing factors influencing speech and language difficulties. Diagnostic sessions can be scheduled throughout the semester.

Treatment

Individual speech therapy treatment sessions take place to address speech and language disorders or differences. An individual plan of care will be developed and sessions will be scheduled to meet individual needs. Treatment is scheduled over the course of a semester. Parents and caregivers have opportunities to observe sessions.

Referrals & Fees

Referrals are accepted from physicians, educators, counselors, and other professionals. Self-referrals are also accepted.

There is a nominal fee for speech therapy and for diagnostic services.

Financial support may be available through the generosity of the Tidewater Scottish Rite Speech and Language Foundation and the Norfolk Sertoma Club. Third party payments (insurance) are not accepted.

Please contact the clinic at 757-683-4117 for more information.

Additional Programs

Individuals with aphasia and other neurologically based communication disabilities meet weekly for a communication therapy group. Participants take part in communication activities and work with student clinicians to improve use of strategies to enhance communication.

This program helps transgender and gender diverse individuals develop voice and communication that affirms their identity. We provide a welcoming environment and work collaboratively with clients to modify the voice and address verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication that can impact gender perception and self-expression. The training sessions are typically scheduled for 60 minutes twice per week.

In the News

Finding Their Voice: The ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic

In the heart of Old Dominion University's vibrant campus, the ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic has been a beacon of hope for individuals with speech, language, and hearing disorders for the past 65 years. Its history is rich, and its mission is unwavering.

In 1955, the clinic started as a pilot project, led by Dr. Reuben Cooper. This endeavor aimed to determine if a dedicated facility for diagnosis and therapy was justified. It began by providing services for both speech and hearing disorders, and the Ward's Corner Lions Club provided critical funding of $500 per year for three years. It later became a full-time clinic in 1958, securing a permanent place on campus.

Read More ►