german society of speech, language and voice pathology

The German Society of Speech, Language and Voice-Pathology (DGSS) was founded in 1925, one year after the IALP. The DGSS was thus the first German speaking inter disciplinary society in the field of speech-language-voice pathology and other medical communication sciences. Since then the DGSS has developed into an international interdisciplinary organ covering also education, psychology, linguistics, logopedics and music. Some of these disciplines are represented on the board of the DGSS, as follows: The German Society of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology (DGPP), The Austrian Society of Logopedics, Phoniatrics, and Pedaudiology (as member of the Austrian Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery), The Swiss Society of Phoniatrics deals with the scientific association of specialists for speech pathology and pediatric audiology. It aroses from the "Association of German Phoniatricians" (est. 1966). The Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology as a medical-scientific discipline has its roots in the ear-nose-throat medicine and, for many years, was a "subdiscipline" within this area. Unlike other societies in Germany, the DGSS concentrates on interdisciplinary cooperation in speech-language-voice research and practice. The DGSS establishes interdisciplinary working groups, promotes consensus on issues that are the subject of debate between the different professions, and organizes scientific meetings (congresses). In 1992, by a decision of the Federal Medical Council, Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology has received an independent status and is the "youngest" medical discipline in Germany. The specialization takes at least 5 years. It is a mixed surgical-conservative field, however, the surgical activity is not the primary focus. The tasks of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology include the diagnosis, treatment, and research in the areas of voice disorders, pediatric hearing impairment, perceptive disorders, impaired speech and language development, acquired speech and language disorders (e.g. aphasia) and swallowing disorders. Most important is the interdisciplinary cooperation with the ear-nose-throat medicine, pediatrics, neurology, oral maxillo-facial surgery, orthodontics and other medical disciplines. Furthermore, cooperations with psychology, pedagogy, orthopedagogy, and hearing aid dispensers are maintained.