The “Better Hearing and Speech month” is an initiative by the Malaysian Association of Speech Language and Hearing to promote awareness of help for hearing and speech-language problems. In line with the association’s objectives, the Better Hearing and Speech Month is an annual activity by the members of MASH to promote awareness on the importance of good speech and hearing in adults and children alike.
The idea of celebrating the month of May as the “Better Hearing and Speech (BHS)” month was conceptualized in 1927 in USA. It aimed to raise public awareness, knowledge and understanding of the various types of communication disorders which affect the community, irrespective of gender, culture, ethnic group or age. Since then, a number of speech and hearing associations in the world have joined USA and Canada in celebrating the event by echoing similar aims.
In Malaysia, a small team of dedicated MASH members from Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre, Penang joined the world and pioneered a regional BHS in Penang in May 2004. It was a successful one, thus another campaign was pursued the year after.
Following the tremendous support and success in the last two years, MASH is now expanding the campaign on a national platform. On the 6th of May 2006, MASH will host the Inaugural National BHS Campaign in Kuala Lumpur.
During the entire month of MAY, MASH members will undertake different activities and projects, amongst others will include:
- FREE hearing and speech-language delay screening in the community,
- Talks/Workshops on hearing and communication disorders and intervention,
- Newspaper articles in the print media, and
- Sale of discounted hearing aids and speech-language materials on specific days in May.
These activities will be held in various states in Malaysia, i.e. Penang, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and others as well.
Through this event, MASH hopes to reach out and forge a stronger relationship with our local community, thus bridging a better understanding of the roles of Audiologists and Speech & Language Pathologists in Malaysia. Together, we aspire to improve the quality of life of those with speech, language, communication and/or hearing difficulties and also their loved ones.
