ASHA Voices

Jessica Cortez discusses her work delivering services to people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are involved with the justice system in various capacities, including incarceration.A speech-language pathologist and founder of The Loom Connection, a private practice in Fort Collins, Colorado, Cortez shares the story behind her work, the connection between TBIs and the justice system, the functional goals her clients want to meet, and how SLPs can support people with limited access to services.TranscriptLearn More:ASHA Voices: When Communication Disorders and the Justice System IntersectPerspectives: Cognitive-Communication Disorders and Neurodisability in the Criminal Justice System: Emerging Roles, Responsibilities, and Opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologist Hallie Sherman shares three ideas for making sessions with students in grades 4–12 more enjoyable and engaging.The SLP behind the “Speech Time Fun” blog provides practical examples and describes why she started rethinking her approach to working with older students.TranscriptLearn More:Steps to Support Older Students’ Reading ComprehensionHow a Snack Cart Boosts Conversational Skills in Older StudentsUsing Play-Based Approaches to Build Language in Older Students

Speech-language pathologist Letizia Hendrickson joins the podcast for a conversation on how SLPs can support executive functioning skills through service delivery.Hendrickson brings a neuroaffirming approach to her work with clients, which often focuses on ADHD. She shares what she’s learned about helping clients accomplish tasks and meet their goals.Hendrickson is neurodivergent herself, and she also shares personal reflections on her experiences.TranscriptLearn More:ASHA Practice Portal: Executive Function DeficitsHelping Students With Executive Functions—What Is Our Role as SLPs?Relearning Work Skills … at Work After Brain InjurySupport for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from Zanda.

Hear from Ryan McCreery and John Lee, two researchers working toward intercepting hearing loss early. Both will present on their work at the 2026 ASHA Research Symposium on Hearing, to be held at the ASHA Convention and streamed online.First, hear McCreery of Boys Town National Research Hospital talk about his research on intervention for children with mild hearing loss. Then, Lee of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals discusses a gene therapy clinical trial that’s seeing participants regain hearing.TranscriptLearn More:ASHA Research Symposium on HearingASHA Voices: How Do Audiologists Counsel Patients Interested in Gene Therapy?ASHA Voices: Researchers Discuss Speech in Noisy Environments, Spatial Awareness, and Bilateral Cochlear ImplantsSupport for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from AMN Healthcare.

Just ahead of Balance Awareness Week, two University of Michigan researchers discuss their work on assessing infant vestibular systems.The audiologists address the questions they hope to answer, such as, what is the vestibular system’s critical period of development? They also describe how they developed a new rotational chair—designed specifically for infants—and the interdisciplinary collaboration that made it possible.Plus, hear an update on ways the researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence to develop more efficient care for patients with dizziness.TranscriptLearn more:Smarter Navigation: How AI Will Rewire Dizziness and Hearing Health Care The Value of Audiologists in the Assessment and Treatment of Balance and DizzinessASHA Voices: Audiology, Aerospace, and an Early-Career InnovatorSupport for this episode of ASHA Voices comes from Proliability.