Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center (CSHC) was founded by the Junior League of Charlotte in 1967 as the first community speech and hearing center in North Carolina. We became a United Way agency in 1969. At CSHC we believe communication is the key to connecting with the world. Our mission is to provide a full range of effective, family-centered speech-language and hearing services to everyone in need. We strive to make a lasting impact on those in need, to improve their quality of life and help make them successful and productive members of society.

Fast Facts about Charlotte Speech and Hearing
and Communication Disorders:

• Over 40 million Americans are affected by speech-language or hearing disorders.
• Speech language and hearing disorders have been identified as the largest class of handicapping conditions for preschoolers.
• Last year the Center provided over 20,000 serivces to over 8,000 individuals with speech-language or hearing disabilities.
• This year we provided speech-language or hearing screenings to more than 1,000 preschoolers.
• Our Step Ahead program is the only one that provides free speech-language and hearing screenings at childcare facilities in Mecklenburg County. It is well documented that early identification of developmental delays before the age of 5 is critical for school success.
• We have provided free services to over 50 homeless families at Charlotte Emergency Housing in the last year and have instituted a ˇ§Meals Matterˇ¨ program to better reach out to families with young children.
• Our Hearing Services Bank (HSB) has provided over 1,200 free hearing aids to low-income children and seniors who otherwise would face a disabling communication disorder with many adverse consequences.
• Our Language and Literacy programs at preschools in underserved neighborhoods serve over 300 children each year. This is a pro-active program that provides at-risk children with a strong foundation to build their academic careers on.