Information and Guidelines for Attaining Private Services

Also please log onto the newly launched website www.speechandhearing.ca by CASLPA for more great resources and information.

Definitions of Professions:

Audiologists are professionals educated in the study of normal hearing processes and hearing loss. The audiologist determines if a person has a hearing loss, what type of loss it is, and how the person can make the best use of remaining hearing. If a person can benefit from using hearing aids or other assistive listening systems, the audiologist can assist with the selection, fitting, and purchase of the most appropriate aids and with training in their effective use.

Speech-Language Pathologists are professionals educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. By evaluating the speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing skills of children and adults, the speech-language pathologist determines what communication or swallowing problems exist and the best way to treat them.

Guidelines for Choosing a Private Practitioner

Choosing a speech-language pathologist or audiologist is an important decision. You can be assured that speech-language pathologists and audiologists who are registered with The Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association have met our certification standards, meet specific requirements in coursework, have supervised professional experience and abide by MSHA's Code of Ethics.

If you are concerned about someone's speech, language or hearing and would like to access the services of a public practitioner please contact your local school, physician, health care professional, regional health authority or the yellow pages of the telephone book to find the nearest speech-language pathologist or audiologist. If you live outside Winnipeg and wish to have your preschool child referred for speech-language pathology or audiology services please contact your physician, public health nurse or other health care professional.

Many practitioners are able to accept direct referrals. Some practitioners may require a referral from a health care professional such as your physician or public health nurse.

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists in the Province of Manitoba must be registered with The Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association (MSHA) in order to practice, and all Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists on the attached list have met our qualifications. These qualifications include: a Masters' degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, at least 350 hours of supervised practice during schooling, and successful completion of a year of supervised work experience. While all the people listed have the same basic qualifications, there are differences between them that will be important to you. Some questions that you might wish to ask include:

How many years of experience do you have?
What kinds of people do you have the most experience with? (For example, preschoolers, school-aged children, adults)
What kinds of speech and language problems do you have the most experience with? (For example, articulation problems, language problems, swallowing problems, communication after stroke or head injury, augmentative/alternative communication)
What are your fees? How much is an assessment? How much is each therapy session? Are there any additional fees that I might be charged (for example, for travel and mileage, or photocopying)? When and how will I be billed?
Will I get a copy of the reports that you write? Is the cost of reports included in the fees quoted above?
Do you have an office that I will come to, or will you come to my home?
Are you a "Member in Good Standing" with MSHA? What kind of workshops, courses or seminars have you taken?
If you attend any team meetings or conferences, will I have to pay extra for those?
Do you have liability or malpractice insurance?
Can I get names of previous clients as references?

MSHA has currently approved a minimum fee schedule for use by third party payers (Insurance companies). The recommended minimum is $80.00 per hour.

If you have any concerns about a speech-language pathologist's or audiologists ethical practice, a written complaint should be sent to the Discipline Committee at The Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association Office.

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