U.S. Speech Therapy Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Speech Disorders, Language Disorders, Neurological Conditions, Swallowing Disorders, and Others), By Age (Pediatrics and Adults), and Country Forecast, 2024-2032

The U.S. speech therapy market size was valued at USD 4.62 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 4.91 billion in 2024 to USD 8.37 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.

Speech-language pathology is a field of rehabilitation services provided by speech therapists or speech-language pathologists (SLP) for 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, approximately 5% to 10% of the U.S. population suffers from some form of communication disorder.

Thus, the increasing prevalence of speech disorders among children and adults in the country is increasing the demand for speech-language pathology services among the U.S. population. This, coupled with increasing initiatives by the government to promote speech and therapy care among the country's affected population, is expected to surge the demand and adoption of therapy during the forecast period. In addition, the presence of favorable reimbursement policies in the U.S. and the rising shift toward teletherapy are expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to market players.

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the market was minimal owing to the lockdown restrictions. The decline in the adoption rate of these services among the country's population owing to limited infrastructure for virtual speech-language pathology was another significant factor affecting the market size during the 2020 pandemic.

U.S. Speech Therapy Market Trends

Growing Patient Inclination toward Tele Consultancy for Speech and Language Therapy

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

The focus of providers in the country on the adoption of teleconsultancy for speech therapy has increased significantly in the post-pandemic era, owing to the increased demand during the pandemic among the population in the country.

• A 2021 survey published by MDPI Journal demonstrated that nearly 3.9% of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) used telepractice, whereas more than 88.0% of the SLPs used telepractice post-pandemic.

In addition, the increasing focus of the regulatory bodies on updating the guidelines and regulations for telehealth services for SLP services is contributing to the growing preference toward these telehealth services among the U.S. population. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are currently authorized to provide telehealth services under Medicare Part B through December 2024.

Moreover, to improve user experience, key players are already taking the initiative and citing the opportunity to fulfill patients’ demands through teletherapy for deafness and other communication disorders.

According to an article published by iTechArt in November 2021, it was reported that 60% of the surveyed speech-language pathologists preferred telehealth for its convenience of use and easy accessibility throughout rural, urban, and suburban locations. In addition, 68% of the surveyed speech therapists ensured that they would adopt telehealth services in the near future. Thus, the rising adoption of telehealth also contributes to market growth.

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U.S. Speech Therapy Market Growth Factors

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

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

• According to the National Aphasia Association, more than 2 million adults in the U.S. were suffering from aphasia in 2021.


• According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1 in 272 Americans are affected, with around 100,000 to 180,000 people in the U.S. acquiring aphasia each year.

The growing number of people suffering from various neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and others in the U.S. leading to speech and voice disorders is another significant factor contributing to the growing patient pool requiring speech therapy.

Thus, the increasing demand for speech therapies among the patient population, along with the growing number of healthcare facilities in the country providing physical therapies, including speech therapy and others, are expected to fuel the U.S. speech therapy market growth during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Treatment and Shortage of Speech Therapists May Hamper Market Growth

The rising prevalence of speech disorders among the U.S. population, along with the growing diagnosis rate in the country, is leading to increasing demand for speech therapy in the U.S. However, the high cost associated with these services is a major challenge that is expected to hinder their adoption among the population in the country.

• 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, the condition cannot be fully cured. According to CostHelper, Inc., the therapy can cost around USD 250 to USD 700 for an evaluation and USD 100 to USD 250 per hour for ongoing sessions for patients who are not covered under any health insurance. This huge cost structure is not affordable for the majority of the U.S. population and hence limits the adoption rate of the speech therapy service.

In addition, a shortage in the number of speech-language pathologists has been observed across the country. According to the Chairman of Texas Woman's University, in Texas, there is a need for speech therapists to assess and treat more than 200,000 public school students between the ages of 3 and 21 every year. 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 speech therapy sector’s growth.

U.S. Speech Therapy Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Rising Prevalence of Key Speech Disorders Led to Segmental Dominance

Based on type, the market is segmented into speech disorders, language disorders, neurological conditions, swallowing disorders, and others.

The speech disorders segment accounted for the largest U.S. speech therapy market share in 2023. The dominance of the segment can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of a number of speech disorders, including aphasia, apraxia, articulation disorders, and others. This results in the rising patient population in the U.S. and leads to the growing demand for available treatment options. Along with this, the rising focus of healthcare facilities on expanding the services provided to cater to the growing demand is another major factor supporting the growth of the segment in the market.

• In June 2024, the MetroHealth System expanded its outpatient services provided by its MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute. The facility will include physical therapy for adults and pediatrics, and occupational therapy and speech therapy for the patients.

The neurological conditions segment is expected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growing number of patients with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and others resulting in speech disorders is one of the major factors fueling the demand for speech therapies among the population in the country.

• According to a 2021 article published by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are around one million people in the U.S. diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the number is projected to rise to 2.3 million by 2030.

On the other hand, the language disorders, swallowing disorders, 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. Their expansion can also be ascribed to the increasing patient population diagnosed with aphasia and traumatic brain injury undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

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By Age Analysis

Pediatrics Segment Dominated Due to Rising Cases of Speech Disorders Among Children

Based on age, the market is categorized into pediatrics and adults.

The pediatrics segment dominated the market in 2023. The growing number of children in the country affected by various speech disorders such as dysarthria, aphasia, and others is leading to increasing demand for speech therapies among the population in the U.S. In addition, the increasing number of diagnosed children requiring this therapy is boosting the demand and adoption of the service.

• According to a 2024 article published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), nearly one in twelve children of the age group between 3-17 years in the U.S. are affected by a disorder related to speech, voice, language, or swallowing.

However, the adults segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segment growth can be credited to the rising prevalence of speech and voice disorders owing to increasing cases of stroke, degenerative neurological and motor disorders, and others among the adult population in the country.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Companies Focus on Strategic Collaborations to Boost Their Service Portfolio

The U.S. market is a fragmented market with several players offering services to the patient population. A few of the prominent players include Kindred Healthcare, LLC, Genesis Rehab Services, and BenchMark Physical Therapy Institute.

The rising focus of these companies on strategically collaborating with other players to expand their service portfolio and strengthen their brand presence is one of the significant factors supporting their increasing penetration in the U.S. market.

• In April 2023, Powerback Rehabilitation partnered with Luna to deliver greater access to in-home, in-person outpatient physical therapy.

In addition, a few market players, including Reliant Rehabilitation and Humanus Corporation, are focusing on adopting growth strategies, such as partnerships and mergers, to expand their customer base in the U.S.

• In November 2020, Diversicare Healthcare Services, Inc. selected Reliant Rehabilitation as its therapy services provider in order to provide high-quality therapy services to its patients in the U.S.

Other prominent players operating in the U.S. market include Smart Speech Therapy, Therapy Solutions Inc., and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.

List of Top U.S. Speech Therapy Companies:

• Kindred Healthcare, LLC (U.S.)


• Powerback Rehabilitation to You (U.S.)


• BenchMark Physical Therapy Institute (U.S.)


• Reliant Rehabilitation (U.S.)


• Humanus Corporation (U.S.)


• Smart Speech Therapy (U.S.)


• Therapy Solutions Inc. (U.S.)


• Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2024 – Expressable, one of the leading family-centered speech therapy care, raised USD 26.0 million in Series B funding led by the global investment firm HarbourVest Partners, Digitalis Ventures, F-Prime Capital, and Lerer Hippeau.


• December 2023 – Thrive Therapy Solutions, Inc., a venture offering home-based therapy services to people of all ages in Indiana, was established in Indiana. The company will provide adult and pediatric speech therapy services for people with Parkinson’s disease, swallowing disorders, and others.


• January 2023 – The Stepping Stones Group acquired Catalyst Speech Language Pathology, a provider of Speech therapy services to schools.


• July 2022 – InHome Therapy acquired North Texas Home Therapy Professionals, a home healthcare company offering in-home occupational, physical, and speech-language pathology services.


• March 2021 - Kindred Healthcare, LLC and OSF HealthCare announced a partnership agreement to provide rehabilitation and long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital services in central Illinois.

REPORT COVERAGE

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

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Report Scope & Segmentation