ASHA National Caregiver Survey by YouGov: Communication Breakdowns Are Raising Safety Concerns
SOURCE: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ROCKVILLE, Maryland , May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to a new national survey commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and conducted by YouGov in March, communication breakdowns present a huge daily challenge for U.S. caregivers and raise concerns about the safety of adults with communication challenges.
Communication difficulties in adults are common. They can result from a wide variety of conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, certain types of cancer, dementia, and hearing loss.
ASHA and YouGov will release the survey results this May during National Speech, Language, and Hearing Awareness Month. The survey polled 522 people between the ages of 18 and 84 who provide care to individuals with conditions treated by ASHA members, speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Those receiving care include adults with cognitive, speech, language, and/or hearing impairments.
A survey reveals concerns about safety and other issues
Among the most concerning findings of the survey are those related to health and safety implications. More than half (51%) of caregivers say they are worried about the potential impact of communication difficulties when addressing medical issues. Furthermore, 40% say that communication difficulties make it hard for them to know if their loved one is ill, in pain, or in danger. A third (33%) of caregivers report that communication breakdowns negatively affect their own health.
Overall, more than half (52%) of the caregivers surveyed report that communication difficulties occur daily. Slightly less than half (49%) say they always or almost always repeat, rephrase, or simplify what they say, and another 45% do so at least occasionally. However, only a third of those surveyed consider this tactic effective.
This may be why nearly 8 out of 10 caregivers say that dealing with communication challenges is exhausting. Furthermore, caregivers report that…
- Interruptions in communication make them feel frustrated, sad, and anxious.
- Communication difficulties cause the person being cared for to feel frustrated, sad, ashamed, and angry.
Resources are needed, but highly effective professional help is underutilized.
More than 7 out of 10 caregivers say they need more resources and support. Half would like to have better tools or strategies to improve communication between themselves and the person they care for.
However, 6 out of 10 caregivers have not worked with a professional who provides services to address communication and cognitive challenges. Among those caregivers, 84% had never heard of therapy services, or only a few had heard of them.
But people with communication difficulties and their caregivers have much to gain from professional intervention: among those who have received assistance from professionals such as audiologists and speech therapists, 88% considered the experience helpful.
“The care of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist can dramatically improve the daily lives of people with communication disorders and their caregivers,” said Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, PhD, Certified in Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, an honorary member of ASHA and its 2026 president. “Ask your doctor or others on your team for a referral. Care is often covered by insurance, at least to some extent, and it truly can be life-changing.”
Rosa-Lugo noted that ASHA is launching a new website for its consumer affiliate, the Communication Health Support Association (CHSA), this May. The website, www.helpingyoucommunicate.org , is designed for the general public. It offers information and resources on communication difficulties, insurance coverage, and where and how to find professionals by geographic area.
For more information or to schedule an interview with an ASHA expert, please email [email protected] .
Methodology: All figures are from YouGov Plc unless otherwise noted. The total sample size was 522 US adults aged 18 and over who are caregivers of adults served by ASHA members (i.e., care recipients are those with speech, language, hearing, and/or cognitive impairments or disabilities). YouGov conducted fieldwork from March 19–28, 2026, using an online survey. Figures have been weighted and are representative of US adults aged 18 and over who are caregivers of individuals served by ASHA members.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 247,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech-language and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Visit www.asha.org
About YouGov: YouGov is a global research and analytics group. Its mission is to provide unparalleled insight into what the world is really thinking and doing. For more information, visit yougov.com .
