Free speech and hearing screenings will be offered Thursday, May 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. at Longwood University’s Speech, Hearing and Learning Services (SHLS), located at 315 W. Third St., Farmville.

The screenings will be provided by graduate students in Longwood’s communication sciences and disorders program under the supervision of a speech-language pathology faculty member.

The event is part of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

On the same day, the Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) of the Heartland, which is housed in the SHLS offices, will hold an open house from 4-6 p.m.

The open house is related to Early Intervention Awareness Month and will feature information on early intervention services and programs offered by the ITC, including how to refer children to the program, and an opportunity to meet ITC staff and local therapists who provide early intervention services.

Light refreshments will be served. Early detection of speech and language disorders, as well as of hearing loss, is key to a shorter, more effective and less expensive course of treatment.

Hearing loss is increasingly common in children and teens due to unsafe listening to personal devices such as mp3 players, smartphones and tablets.

For more information, call (434) 395-2788.