Language and Health

Language is directly relevant to many areas of public health and medicine.  Language deficits can be problems across the lifespan:  many children suffer from developmental language and learning disorders, and many adults experience language difficulties after strokes.  Hearing loss and the resulting difficulties with language are one of the most common complaints of older adults.

Researchers at UMD are exploring how the perception of spoken language differs in individuals who have a variety of disorders, including age-related hearing loss, autism spectrum disorders, stuttering, and even individuals who have suffered a sports-related concussion.  They are also exploring ways of improving cochlear implants and other medical technologies.