Founded Reason

In response to the establishment and development of hearing and speech science education system, the government is paying more attention to the regulations of audiology and speech-language pathology. The law of speech-language pathologist was passed on July 2nd, 2008, and that of audiologist was passed on January 23rd, 2009. The establishment of both regulations can help the science of speech-language and hearing develop better. Under the admirable education system, our department was approved to establish.

Because of the rapidly aging population and lifestyle changes, the number of people having communication disorders which include hearing impairment, language delay, cleft lip and palate, vocal cord lesions, brain injury, mental retardation, stroke, dementia has increased. The need for professionals in audiology and speech- language pathology is urgent.

At present, there are only five educational institutions that are training professionals in audiology and speech-language pathology in Taiwan, which can only train about 180 professionals every year. According to the Ministry of Examination R.O.C, by November 2014, the number of people having the certificate of speech-language therapists was 921 and having the certificate of audiologists was 356. Based on Enderby's & Davies'（1989）data, it is estimated that the need for professionals in audiology and speech language in Europe and the United States is about 26.6 for every 100,000 people, which is the most appropriate index. Based on this index, it is calculated that the number of professionals our country needs is about 6,100. Given that most professionals serve in metropolitan areas, many service institutions in remote areas lack professionals in audiology and speech language. It reflects that the number of professionals in audiology and speech-language is insufficient in Taiwan. Our department was approved to establish in April 2012 and enrolls 45 students for a class every year. From 2012 to 2014, the total of students was 114. Currently, there are 8 full-time teachers, which will increase yearly, and 11 part-time teachers.

Group members of the ASLP organizing group