NACOGDOCHES, Texas — If you ever wondered what kind of shape your voice is in, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders might have the answer. The center will host a voice screening clinic that’s free and open to the public this semester before being offered for a fee at some point after the introductory spring period. 

Planned for each Wednesday throughout this spring and summer semester, the clinic will assess the human voice and how it functions. The goal of the clinic is to find voice disorders and study how they can affect one’s work performance and quality of life. The clinics are being conducted within the communication sciences and disorders program in the James I. Perkins College of Education’s Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership. 
 
“This opportunity helps one to learn about their own voice, which many of us take for granted,” said Dr. Nandhu Radhakrishnan, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders. “Faculty and students use their voice all the time, so a voice problem can affect their performance both professionally and socially. A healthy voice is your choice. You can take care of it by knowing more about it.” 

The voice screening clinics will take place each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Human Services Building, Suite 202. Participants will be asked to answer a questionnaire and complete a vocal task. The data collected may be used in future research, but the identity of participants will remain anonymous, except for age and gender. 

For more information, contact Shafia Bowker at (936) 468-7109 or shafia.bowker@sfasu.edu. Visit sfasu.edu/stanleycenter to learn more about the Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders.