In The Past Decade, The U.S. Speech Therapy Field Has Seen A Great Deal Of Medical Advancement
What Is Speech Therapy? A Speech Therapist treats various types of language and speech disorders. These problems can occur due to a range of factors, including neurological or congenital abnormalities. Dysphagia can also be caused by trauma or infection of the throat or esophagus. Speech therapy is essential for children with these issues, as it can lead to life-threatening complications. One of the largest drivers for the U.S. speech therapy market is the aging population. By 2050, the United Nations expects one in six people will be 65 or older. By that time, the U.S. will have more than one out of five older adults. This increase in population is likely to fuel the growth of speech therapy services.
The National Institute on deafness and other communication disorders published statistics in 2019 showing that approximately one in twelve children in the U.S. had a speech or language disorder. Several neurological disorders may also contribute to the prevalence of speech-language disorders. A speech-language pathologist can help diagnose and treat the condition. The market for U.S. speech therapy will continue to grow due to the increasing prevalence of speech disorders. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 7.6% of adults in the U.S. experienced speech problems in the past year. Of those, nine million adults had a voice problem lasting more than a week. It’s no surprise that the prevalence of speech disorders is rising.
While it’s hard to predict when these advancements will take place, they’re a good opportunity to capitalize on a growing market. For example, Expressable raised a $4.5 million seed round in May 2021 and aims to reach the five million children with U.S. Speech Therapy disorders in the U.S.While the number of outpatient visits to hospitals decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many speech-language pathologists have stepped up their services for these patients. This is because patients who contracted the virus often report damage to their muscles and vocal cords. Speech-language pathologists are thought to be driving the telehealth industry during the pandemic.