Audiology & Speech Language Pathology
The field of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology was started during II World War and the field has grown up enormously all across the globe. This is one of the major Allied Health Science fields focusing majorly on identification, diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with any kind of communication disorders. The field has its origin in India as early as 1965 to cater the needs of individuals with communication disorders by Government of India.
Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance and other related disorders. An Audiologist is a qualified professional who provides a comprehensive array of professional and clinical services related to the identification, diagnosis, and management of such individuals.
Speech Language Pathology is a sub-domain of allied health sciences that primarily focuses on all kinds of communication disorders. Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is a qualified professional who provides a comprehensive array of clinical services related to the identification, diagnosis, and management of persons with Communication & Swallowing disorders.
This field is an integral part of Health Care delivery systems both in India and abroad alike. An Audiologist/ SLP is an independent professional such that his/her services and activities are not prescribed or supervised by another professional. However, he/she often collaborates with other medical professionals for providing services. This field is directly associated with many of the medical specialties such as ENT, Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Psychology which provides lot more career opportunities.Importance of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology
Approximately 5% of the total population in India is suffering with communication disorders such as Hearing Impairment, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy and Autism Spectrum Disorders and so on. However, not even 1% of them are getting clinical services/ treatment for their problems due to limited professionals, lack of awareness and so on. The incidence and prevalence of disorders such as Autism, ADHD, Stroke and Dementia are on the rise due to change in life style among people.
Although the field of ASLP was started around 50 years back in India, there is lack of awareness among people and the number of qualified professionals is limited. Initially All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore & Nair Hospital, Mumbai started training programs in 1960s. However, the number of trained students was limited due to limited resources. Only after 1990s, few private institutions have started this course. However, due to wide opportunities abroad, many of the professionals have migrated to other countries such as USA, UK, Australia and so on and this in turn caused lack of professionals to address clinical population in India.
The field of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology was started during II World War and the field has grown up enormously all across the globe. This is one of the major Allied Health Science fields focusing majorly on identification, diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with any kind of communication disorders. The field has its origin in India as early as 1965 to cater the needs of individuals with communication disorders by Government of India.
Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance and other related disorders. An Audiologist is a qualified professional who provides a comprehensive array of professional and clinical services related to the identification, diagnosis, and management of such individuals.
Speech Language Pathology is a sub-domain of allied health sciences that primarily focuses on all kinds of communication disorders. Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is a qualified professional who provides a comprehensive array of clinical services related to the identification, diagnosis, and management of persons with Communication & Swallowing disorders.
This field is an integral part of Health Care delivery systems both in India and abroad alike. An Audiologist/ SLP is an independent professional such that his/her services and activities are not prescribed or supervised by another professional. However, he/she often collaborates with other medical professionals for providing services. This field is directly associated with many of the medical specialties such as ENT, Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Psychology which provides lot more career opportunities.