The clinic's basic objective is to provide effective clinical services to clients and their families. Because of its location in a university setting, the clinic serves as a practicum and research site to educate future audiologists, rehabilitation counselors, and speech-language pathologists.
Most services are provided by graduate student clinicians, as part of a student-faculty team assigned to each client. Clinical and academic faculty hold clinical certification and either master's or doctoral degrees and state licensure.
Faculty members and students frequently observe sessions as part of the educational program of the department. All information obtained from clinic sessions, however, is strictly confidential. With prior client approval, some sessions are videotaped as a useful educational tool for students and faculty. Clients should feel free to speak with a clinician or faculty member regarding observers and confidentiality.
The clinic is open and appointments are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Speech-language sessions are offered some evenings to allow all family members to be present. Clients are asked to inform the clinic if they need to cancel an appointment or ongoing therapy session.
The clinic uses a standard fee structure for services. Some fees are covered by health insurance plans or are paid by local agencies to the clinic. A sliding fee schedule is available so that no one is denied services because of inability to pay.
Three parking spaces on the west side of the clinic are reserved for the clients. A dashboard parking permit, issued by clinic personnel, is required to park in one of these spaces. A limited number of metered parking spaces are available in the lot north of the clinic. A visitors' lot is located approximately three blocks west of the clinic. Personnel in the clinic office can answer specific questions regarding parking.
Northern Illinois University's Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is located on Lucinda Avenue, east of Normal Road between Adams and Wirtz Halls
For more information about NIU's Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic:
Call (815) 753-1481, voice or TDD