Language is a very important part of human existence—it allows us to communicate with each other. The language areas of the brain are located in the left hemisphere, which is in the left half of the cerebrum. When there is damage, it can result in a speech or communication disorder.
1. Broca's Aphasia
In 1861, Paul Broca observed a patient who could only say one word: “tan.” Examination of the patient's brain revealed that there was damage to the left frontal cortex. The University of Washington states that symptoms of Broca's aphasia include slurred speech, problems forming words, and the inability producing speech; however, a patient with Broca's aphasia can understand language.
2. Wernicke's Aphasia
The University of Washington states that Wernicke's aphasia was discovered by Karl Wernicke in 1876, when he found that his patients were having different language problems than patients diagnosed with Broca's Aphasia. The reason was the location of the brain damage: the posterior part of the temporal lobe. Symptoms include the inability to understand language and nonsensical order of words; the patient, however, can speak clearly.
3. Acquired Apraxia of Speech
One type of apraxia is acquired apraxia of speech, which the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states can start at any age, though it is more prevalent in adults. Acquired apraxia of speech is caused by damage to the brain, affecting the patient's ability to speak properly and can affect any existing speech abilities. This type of apraxia can occur along with aphasia or dysarthria.
4. Developmental Apraxia of Speech
The second type of apraxia is developmental apraxia of speech, which the NIDCD states starts at birth and is more common in boys. Patients with this type of apraxia have problems speaking correctly and consistently. The cause of developmental apraxia of speech is unknown, however the NIDCD list of theories believes the disorder is a problem with overall language development, or that it is a neurological disorder.
5. Dysarthria
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states that dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by damage to the nervous system. Symptoms include slurred speech, slowed speech, abnormal intonation when speaking, and limited tongue, jaw, and lip movement.
6. Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement
Paradoxical vocal fold movement is a vocal disorder. The ASHA explains that during an episode, the vocal cords close at irregular times. This disorder can mistaken for asthma, due to the wheezing and breathing problems.
7. Selective Mutism
Selective mutism is a speech disorder than is also included in the DSM-IV, which states that patients donot speak in some occasions, but are vocal in other situations. The ASHA adds that selective mutism may be accompanied with an anxiety disorder, social isolation, excessive shyness, or fear of social embarrassment.
8. Spasmodic Dysphonia
The ASHA states that spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic voice disorder where the patient has strained vocal cords. This results in aphonia (periods of no sound), vocal spasms, and a groaning voice.
9. Traumatic Brain Injury
Many of the acquired speech and communication disorders are caused by injury to the brain, such as from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The ASHA states that after a brain injury, the patient can have problems finding the right words, difficulty with written or spoken messages, and issues with social problems, such as telling the difference between sarcasm and seriousness.
10. Right Hemisphere Brain Damage
While the language regions of the brain are located on the left hemisphere, damage to the right hemisphere can result in cognitive-communication problems. The ASHA states that after right hemisphere brain damage, the patient can have problems understanding abstract language and nonverbal cues.
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Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch received her bachelor’s of science degree in neuroscience from Trinity College in Hartford, CT in May 2009. She is the Hartford Women's Health Examiner and she writes about abuse on Suite 101.