ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND – A new national poll commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and conducted by YouGov finds that 60% of caregivers for individuals with communication difficulties say that communication breakdowns make caregiving more challenging.
Released to mark the beginning of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, the poll findings aim to spotlight the experiences of caregivers and the important role they play in supporting individuals with speech, language, and hearing difficulties.
Millions of Americans live with communication disorders, which may be present from birth or acquired later in life due to injury, illness, or aging. These disorders can result from a range of causes—including neurodegenerative diseases, strokes, or head and neck cancers—and are common among children, adults, and older individuals.
The Impact of Communication Breakdowns
Caregivers cited various issues that complicate their efforts: difficulty understanding the needs of the care recipient, emotional outbursts due to frustration, and the need to repeat messages when the person cannot remember or hear what was said.
More than half (59%) said daily life would be significantly easier if communication breakdowns were reduced. Additionally, 53% reported feelings of sadness, depression, overwhelm, helplessness, or frustration as a result of these challenges.
The poll also showed that 45% of caregivers avoid public interactions due to concerns about communication, and 40% of caregivers of children linked communication difficulties to challenges in school or daycare, including behavioral issues and tantrums.
Caregiving Pressures and Mental Health
Nearly half of all respondents reported mental health strain as their top caregiving challenge. For caregivers of children, behavioral and emotional issues were most difficult, while caregivers of adults cited household responsibilities. Most caregivers (63%) said they need more support and resources, and only 21% receive compensation for their caregiving efforts. On average, caregivers spend 39 hours per week providing care.
“We have great empathy and respect for caregivers across country who give so much of themselves to those in their care,” said ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP. “They deserve greater support.”
Most caregivers are family members, with the majority being women (57%) and employed outside their caregiving responsibilities (59%). On average, child and adult care recipients are ages 11 and 68, respectively. Half of caregivers live full-time with those they care for.
Finding Positivity—and Help From Specialists
Despite the challenges, many caregivers report positive aspects to their role, such as increased appreciation for small moments, satisfaction from providing care, and developing greater patience. Caregivers also credit support from audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for improving daily life.
Sixty-five percent of caregivers whose care recipient saw an audiologist reported that their services improved daily life “a great deal” or “a good amount,” with 89% recommending others see one. Similarly, 77% of caregivers reported positive outcomes from speech-language pathology services, with 91% recommending an SLP.
“ASHA’s member audiologists and speech-language pathologists are committed to providing services that help people who have communication difficulties, as well as their caregivers,” Mayfield-Clarke said. “Clearly, the polling shows that their services can be very impactful.”
Efforts to Improve Communication
Many caregivers remain committed to improving communication: 36% report finding effective strategies, 34% are making progress, and 27% acknowledge struggles but continue working toward improvement. Only 4% say they or the care recipient have given up.
Communication is also essential in healthcare settings. While 73% of caregivers say that medical professionals communicate clearly with them, only 40% report that care recipients are asked about their communication preferences. Nearly 30% said that healthcare professionals often fail to communicate in ways that recipients can understand.
“Being able to communicate effectively is a human right,” Mayfield-Clarke noted. “It applies to appointment settings, too.”
Polling Methodology
All figures, unless otherwise noted, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ who provide care for individuals with communication-related difficulties, including those addressed by ASHA members. Fieldwork was conducted online between March 6–21, 2025. Data are weighted to be representative of the broader caregiver population.
About YouGov
YouGov is a global provider of market analysis and research across more than 40 markets. Their online research methodology has been recognized for superior accuracy, including by Pew Research.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 241,000 members and affiliates, including audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and related professionals. ASHA supports prevention, assessment, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders through evidence-based practice and advocacy.
Source: ASHA
