Healing From Speech and Language Issues After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Many patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) find that speaking, reading, and listening are challenging. Brain injuries can easily affect the parts of our brains responsible for processing language, and these injuries often make it difficult to work, socialize, and enjoy hobbies. If you’re struggling with this type of issue after a crash, slip and fall, or any other type of accident, consider speaking with an experienced brain injury lawyer in Atlanta.

How Do Brain Injuries Cause Language Issues?

When the left hemisphere of the brain becomes injured, a patient can develop something called “aphasia.” This is the medical term for language issues, and this disorder affects all forms of language comprehension and communication. A person with aphasia might lose the ability to understand written text and spoken language. Aphasia may also prevent patients from speaking or writing normally.

When the frontal lobe is damaged by a brain injury, a person may also experience a distinct form of aphasia that affects expression. With this type of language issue, a patient struggles to find the right words (whether spoken or written). Finally, an impact to the temporal lobe can cause a different type of aphasia that causes a person to use words that don’t make sense.

Speech Therapy Can Help With Aphasia

One of the most established forms of treatment is speech therapy. Since each type of aphasia is slightly different, treatment providers must customize speech therapy to meet the unique needs of each patient. Some might focus on improving slurred speech, while others may need treatment that targets comprehension. For certain patients, the focus of this treatment is more on the subtleties of human conversation, such as humor, tone, and body language. Flowing conversations require problem-solving skills, memory, and attention. These are all things that the average person takes for granted, and they may become extremely difficult after a brain injury.

Medications May Also Help With Aphasia

Certain drugs may help with aphasia, although these drugs are designed to assist with speech therapy rather than replace it entirely. Drugs cannot “cure” language disorders, although they may improve blood flow to the brain and boost the cognitive processes involved with comprehension and conversation.

Music Can Help You Recover Your Language Skills

One of the most incredible treatment options for aphasia is called “melodic intonation therapy” (MIT). This approach uses music to help you re-learn how to speak. The addition of rhythm and musical tones may “unlock” parts of your brain that were affected by the brain injury. Sometimes, singing a sentence is easier than saying it.

Can a Brain Injury Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me? 

A brain injury lawyer in Atlanta may be able to help you access the treatment you need to heal. Whether you’re having difficulty reading, conversing, or speaking, there is always hope. New treatment methods are constantly emerging, and technological innovations may also help you rebuild relationships, continue with your career, and do the things you once loved. Contact Morain & Buckelew, LLC today for further guidance.

Sources:

 my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5502-aphasia#management-and-treatment

headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/effects-of-brain-injury/communication-problems/