Free 'King's Speech' screening part of Better Hearing and Speech Month at ASU

Four-time Oscar winner “The King’s Speech” introduced audiences to the speech struggles of King George VI of England, making it a fitting choice to mark Better Hearing and Speech Month in May.

The Department of Speech and Hearing Science will host a free screening of the film on May 12 to celebrate the services provided by professionals in the field of speech and hearing science. In the film, speech therapist Lionel Logue helps the king work through his verbal obstacles and give inspiring speeches to his country at the start of World War II.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Marston Exploratory Theater, in ISTB 4 on the ASU Tempe Campus. The screening, which is open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m.

The department joins the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in observing Better Hearing and Speech Month, which occurs each May to raise awareness about communication disorders and the professionals who can help.

The department is also observing National Stuttering Awareness Week, May 11-17.  Members of the National Stuttering Association Arizona Chapter are invited to a panel discussion after the screening of “The King’s Speech.”

Local National Stuttering Association chapters meet on the ASU Tempe Campus to provide support and resources. To find a meeting near you, visit www.westutter.org/find-an-nsa-meeting-near-you. 

Each year the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association picks a theme to raise awareness about communication disorders. For 2015, the theme is “Early Intervention Counts,” focusing on early detection and treatment. To learn more about communication disorders, visit identifythesigns.org.

ASHA is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 173,000 audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.  Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. Find out more at www.asha.org.

For more information about the screening, visit chs.asu.edu/BHSM or contact Lucy Wolski at 480-965-1584.