National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Speech Services FAQ

What speech services do you offer? 
View a complete list of our speech and language services. 

How many hours per week can I schedule speech therapy?
Typically students attend sessions twice a week for 50 minutes each session.  

How many quarters can I take speech therapy?
Typically students stay in therapy for two or three quarters.

How do I sign up for speech therapy services? 
You can go to the Spoken Language Learning and Practice Lab (LBJ-Room 3225) or to the staff assistant’s desk (LBJ-3850) and sign up.

How much choice do I have in selecting my speech therapy goals and what to work on? 
You and your speech therapist share responsibility for deciding on goals and activities and setting priorities. We encourage you to take an active role in the therapy process.

Is speech therapy always one-on-one or is there group therapy?
Generally, speech therapy is one-on-one. Occasionally, when there is a request for group therapy, we try to provide it.

Do I have to pay for speech therapy services? 
Speech therapy and all services in the SLLPL are free for enrolled students.

What are walk-in services?
You can come to the SLLPL without an appointment and receive walk-in-services which include instruction and practice in a variety of skills related to spoken communication. Homework help for communication courses is also provided. The schedule for walk-in services changes quarterly. Please check the schedule posted on the SLLPL door for times.

Can I be guaranteed to get speech therapy after I sign up and request it?
We do our best to schedule you quickly but sometimes there is a waiting list for services. Speech therapy is in high demand.  It’s open to all students and we do our best to serve everyone who has requested it.

If I do not receive speech therapy is there another way for me to practice my speaking skills?  
You can use walk-in services for help in speech and other communication skills. However, this isn’t a substitute for individual speech therapy because it does not provide in-depth weekly instruction.

Audiology FAQ

How do I sign up for audiology services?
Come to the Hearing Aid Shop on the third floor in the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Hall #60, Room 3130 (campus map). Bring your weekly schedule so you can make an appointment with an available audiologist during your free time.

If my hearing aid or cochlear implant breaks, can I get it repaired on campus?
Yes, we can do many repairs on campus. If we can’t make the repair here, we can send your hearing instrument to the manufacturer for repair under warranty, depending on the age of the instrument, or we can talk to you about the cost of getting a repair through NTID.

How do I get a new hearing aid at NTID?
According to law, your most recent hearing test needs to be within the past six months. A current hearing test also ensures that you are fitted with hearing aids that are most appropriate for you. There is no charge for a hearing test.

After your hearing test, the audiologist will discuss recommendations with you. You will talk about a variety of options such as earmold style, hearing aid style and analog vs digital circuitry. You’ll also discuss whether one or two hearing aids would give you the best result and talk about the process and appointments required for completing the evaluation and getting the hearing aids. The audiologist also will discuss the cost of new hearing aids at NTID.

Is there a charge for audiology services?
Audiology faculty and staff provide services to full-time students  at no charge.

What kind of cochlear implant services do you offer?
We offer a variety of cochlear implant services. Cochlear implant candidacy evaluations, mappings, equipment troubleshooting, listening, speechreading and implant upgrade information are available. You can sign up for these services at the Hearing Aid Shop on the third floor in the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Hall #60, Room 3130. You can also purchase cochlear implant batteries, replacement cords and other accessories at the Hearing Aid Shop. 

If you'd like to meet and socialize with students and faculty/staff who have cochlear implants, networking opportunities are available through cochlear implant group meetings and the CI Mentorship Program. The CI Mentorship Program matches newly implanted students and/or students new to RIT/NTID with faculty, staff or upperclassmen who are experienced users.

How much does a hearing aid cost at NTID?
Hearing aid costs vary. The audiologist will explain the cost of the hearing aid(s) he or she is recommending at the time of the hearing test. Since we are a non-profit clinic, our prices tend to be low compared to normal retail prices. The final price is determined largely by the kind of technology that you prefer (analog or digital) and the special features that you want (multiple programs, Bluetooth compatibility, directional microphones). We accept cash, check, Tiger Bucks and approved Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) payments.

Can I buy batteries, earmolds, etc. on campus?
Yes, you can! Simply stop by the Hearing Aid Shop on the third floor in the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Hall #60, Room 3130 during open hours. Please be prepared to pay with cash, check or Tiger Bucks.

Can I borrow an FM from NTID?
Yes, FM units are available for loan free of charge. Stop by the Hearing Aid Shop, on the third floor in the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Hall #60, Room 3130, to make an appointment to be fit with a unit. You may borrow a unit for the quarter or for the full academic year. In some cases, you may borrow an FM unit for your co-op work experience.

When are audiology services available?
Audiology services are available during the regular academic year (September through May) when classes are in session.

What audiology services do you offer?
We offer a full array of audiology services: hearing tests, new hearing aid fittings, CI consultations and mappings, hearing aid checks, auditory training and speechreading (lipreading) training and FM fittings. We also offer ENT and eye clinics on a monthly basis. Services for students, faculty and staff are provided at no charge.