U.S. Speech Therapy Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Speech Disorders, Language Disorders, Neurological Conditions, and Others); By Age (Pediatrics, and Adults), Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The U.S. speech therapy market size was USD 3.94 billion in 2020. The impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with speech therapy witnessing a negative impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the market exhibited a lower growth of 2.4% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is projected to grow from USD 4.10 billion in 2021 to USD 6.08 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.8% during the 2021-2028 period. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth rate, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Speech-language pathology is a field of rehabilitation services provided by speech therapists or speech and language pathologists (SLP) treating speech impairment, language, communication, or swallowing problems among individuals. The therapy includes intervention services, focusing on improving a patient’s speech and abilities to understand and express language, including nonverbal language.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), an estimated 1 in 12 children in the U.S. aged between 3 years to 17 years suffer from disorders related to voice, speech, and language or swallowing. The increasing prevalence of speech disorders among children and adults in the country, coupled with increasing initiatives by the government to promote speech therapy care among the affected population in the U.S., are some of the factors set to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. Additionally, the presence of favorable reimbursement policies for vocal therapy in the U.S. and the rising shift towards teletherapy are expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to market players.

Decline in Referrals to SLPs in First Half of 2020 Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Growth

The outbreak of the coronavirus has had a minimal impact on the market. A decline in the number of referrals to speech-language pathologists (SLP) was observed in the country during the pandemic owing to the restrictions of lockdown imposed by the government. However, the U.S. government, on the other hand, reallocated speech-language pathologists to provide essential rehabilitation services to patients recovering from critical coronavirus cases. This compensated for the decline in inpatient visits in outpatient departments in the U.S. from Q1 to Q4 2020.

For instance, according to an article published by Health Leaders, it was observed that speech-language pathologists were efficient in providing rehabilitation services to critically ill COVID-19 patients for the damage caused by mechanical ventilators, which included injury to vocal cords and muscles.

This was further compensated by the shift of speech-language pathologists towards telehealth services for catering to the needs of patients during the pandemic. This, along with reimbursement policies by the U.S. government for telehealth services, augmented the demand for these services during 2020.

LATEST TRENDS

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Shift of Patients toward Teletherapy is an Ongoing Trend Observed in Market

Speech therapy can be provided in various ways, including real-time visits via audio, video, or both, by avoiding actual contact between patients and therapists. Also, several medical associations have observed that teletherapy is an effective model for patients with articulation disorders, dysarthria, aphasia, and others.

For instance, in 2020, in response to the pandemic, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) published an official statement on the use of telepractice. It offered speech-language pathologists an opportunity to deliver care by using this new model during the pandemic.

Also, market players to improve user experience are already taking initiatives and citing the opportunity to fulfill patient’s demands through teletherapy. For instance, in July 2020, Therapy Solutions Inc. arranged a virtual summer camp at the Philadelphia Zoo for its younger patients to provide therapy sessions during the pandemic. Hence, such initiatives by market players and medical associations have led to introducing a new approach for consulting patients, i.e., teletherapy, and is gaining a huge acceptance among speech-language pathologists and the patient population in the country.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Prevalence of Speech & Language Disorders in the U.S. to Fuel Market Growth

The increasing number of pediatric populations suffering from speech & language disorders, such as articulation, aphasia, stuttering, and others, in the U.S. generates a huge demand for effective treatment therapy.

• For instance, according to the data published by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders in 2019, it was estimated that 5.0% of U.S. children aged between 3 to 17 years suffered from a speech disorder that lasted for a week or for a longer duration of time.

Additionally, it is estimated by various studies that among all patients suffering from neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's and stroke, a higher percentage of patients suffers from speech and voice disorders that can affect the quality of life of a patient if not treated properly.

• For instance, according to the data published by the Cleveland Clinic, it was estimated that around 8.0% to 60.0% of patients with stroke suffer from dysarthria, which is a type of speech disorder.

Thus, such statistics, along with the presence of favorable reimbursement policies for speech-language pathology services in the U.S., are improving the demand for speech therapy in the country and will subsequently propel the U.S. speech therapy market growth during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Treatment and Shortage of Speech Therapists can Restrict Growth of Market

The increasing prevalence of speech disorders, coupled with the rising early diagnosis rate and demand for effective treatment, are major factors anticipated to propel the need for speech therapy in the U.S. However, the cost to benefit ratio of the therapy is not being justified. For instance, according to an article published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, it was observed that speech disorders, such as apraxia and stuttering, could easily take around 6 to 18 months of treatment. However, still, the condition cannot be fully cured.

Also, the shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLP) has been observed across the country, but rural areas face challenges in recruiting new candidates. Thus, the high cost of these services and the shortage of speech-language pathologists result in the unavailability of such therapy in rural areas of the U.S. and subsequently restrict the growth of the market in the country.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Speech Disorders Segment held the Dominant Share in 2020

Based on type, the U.S. speech therapy market is segmented into speech disorders, language disorders, neurological conditions, and others. The speech disorder segment held a dominant share in 2020, which is attributable to the presence of a large patient population with speech disorders, along with the higher proportion of these patients undergoing voice therapy in the U.S. The neurological conditions segment is expected to register a significant CAGR due to the increasing number of patients with speech and swallowing problems due to neurological conditions, including dementia, stroke, etc.

On the other hand, the language and others segments are anticipated to grow at a comparatively moderate CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing number of rehabilitation service providing companies in the U.S. and the gradually increasing patient population with aphasia and traumatic brain injury undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

By Age Analysis

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Pediatrics Segment to Dominate the Market during the Forecast Period

Based on age, the market is categorized into pediatrics and adults. Among them, the pediatrics segment held a dominating share in 2020. The dominance is due to the increasing incidence of speech-language and swallowing disorders among children and the surging initiatives by the government to provide care across all schools and special education facilities in the U.S.

• For instance, according to the data published by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorder in 2019, it was estimated that one in twelve children in the U.S. was suffering from a speech or language disorder.

However, the adults segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR owing to the rising prevalence of speech and voice disorders among the adult population in the country.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Kindred Healthcare, LLC and Genesis Rehab Services Dominated in 2020 Fueled by Their Strong Direct Presence

Various players are operating in this market, consisting of large, mid-size, and small companies that provide different types of services for voice therapy in the U.S. Also, the current market scenario in the U.S. is fragmented. Kindred Healthcare, LLC and Genesis Rehab Services are some of the major players who held the market's dominant share in 2020. The dominance of these companies is attributed to their strong direct presence across the country, their robust services portfolio, and their highly skilled workforce.

• For instance, Genesis Rehab Services and Kindred Healthcare, LLC have a strong presence across 42 and 34 states, respectively, in the U.S.

Also, few market players are focusing on adopting growth strategies, such as partnerships and mergers, on expanding their customer base in the U.S. For instance, in November 2020, Reliant Rehabilitation partnered with Diversicare Healthcare Services, Inc. to commercialize its services across the U.S. Other prominent players operating in the U.S. market include BenchMark Physical Therapy Institute, Humanus Corporation, Smart Speech Therapy, Therapy Solutions Inc., and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Genesis Rehab Services (Pennsylvania, United States)


• Therapy Solutions Inc. (Pennsylvania, United States)


• Reliant Rehabilitation (Texas, United States)


• Kindred Healthcare, LLC (Kentucky, United States)


• Humanus Corporation (Pennsylvania, United States)


• Smart Speech Therapy (New Jersey, United States)


• BenchMark Physical Therapy Institute (Georgia, United States)


• Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. (Connecticut, United States)


• Other Players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 2021- Kindred Healthcare, LLC and UofL Health entered into a joint venture to build and operate an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.


• February 2020 - Genesis HealthCare entered into a series of agreements with New Generation Health, LLC, a healthcare consulting firm in the U.S., intending to transition the operations of its west coast facilities.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The U.S. speech therapy market research report provides a granular overview of the industry by performing corporate analysis and accurate data. It focuses on key aspects, such as leading companies, type, and age. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report analyzes and understands several factors that have contributed to the growth of the advanced market over recent years.

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