Introduction
The major objectives of the Speech & Hearing unit are to impart professional training, render clinical services, conduct research and educate the public on issues related to communication & hearing disorders such as hearing impairment, mental retardation, voice, and fluency and phonological and language disorders etc.
Unit of Speech & Hearing serve a diverse population and may function in one or more of a variety of activities. The practice of audiology and Speech Language Pathology includes:
A. Prevention
- Promotion of hearing & speech wellness, as well as the prevention of hearing loss and protection of hearing function by designing, implementing, and coordinating occupational, school, and community hearing conservation and identification/awareness programs.
- Prevention of speech and language disorders by coordinating in schools, community and identification/awareness programs.
B. Identification
- Activities that identify dysfunction in speech, hearing, balance, and other auditory-related systems;
- Supervision, implementation, and follow-up of newborn and school hearing screening programs;
- Screening for speech, language, cognitive communication disorders, and/or preferred communication modalities that may affect education, health, development or communication and may result in recommendations for rescreening or comprehensive speech-language pathology assessment or in referral for other examinations or services;
- Identification of populations and individuals with or at risk for hearing & speech loss and other auditory dysfunction, balance impairments, tinnitus, and associated communication impairments as well as of those with normal hearing;
C. Assessment
- The conduct and interpretation of behavioral, methods to assess hearing, speech and language, auditory function, balance, and related systems
- Evaluation and management of children and adults with speech and auditory-related processing disorders;
- Performance of otoscopy for appropriate audiological management or to provide a basis for medical referral;
- Preparation of a report including interpreting data, summarizing findings, generating recommendations and developing an audiologic treatment/management plan;
- Referrals to other professions, agencies and organizations.
D. Rehabilitation
- As part of the comprehensive audiologic (re)habilitation program, evaluates, selects, fits and dispenses hearing assistive technology devices to include hearing aids.
- Assessment and speech rehabilitation of persons with speech, language problem for proper management/rehabilitation.
- Assessment of candidacy of persons with hearing loss for cochlear implants.
- Development of a culturally appropriate, audiologic rehabilitative management plan including, when appropriate:
- A. Recommendations for fitting and dispensing, and educating the consumer and family/caregivers in the use of and adjustment to sensory aids, hearing assistive devices, alerting systems, and captioning devices;
- B. Availability of counseling relating to psycho social aspects of hearing loss, and other auditory dysfunction, and processes to enhance communication competence;
- C. Skills training and consultation concerning environmental modifications to facilitate development of receptive and expressive communication;
- D. Evaluation and modification of the audiologic management plan.
- Assessment and non-medical management of tinnitus using biofeedback, behavioral management, masking, hearing aids, education, and counseling;
- Provision of training for professionals of related and/or allied services when needed;
- Management of the selection, purchase, and evaluation of amplification devices.
E. Education/ Research/Administration
- Education, supervision, and administration for diploma students and other professional education programs; 3. CRE Programme organized by CRC, Design and conduct of basic and applied audiologic research to increase the knowledge base, to develop new methods and programs, and to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of assessment and treatment paradigms; disseminate research findings to other professionals and to the public
Activities
- Clinical Services
- Manpower Development
- Community Awareness Programs
- Short term training program
- Research program
Services Offered
- Hearing evaluation
- Hearing screening for new born
- Speech, Language & communication evaluation
- Hearing aid selection, trial & fitting under ADIP scheme
- Auditory training
- Voice therapy
- Articulation therapy
- Dysphagia therapy
- Fluency therapy
- Neuromotor speech disorder therapy
- Language therapy
- Outreach services
- Parental & sibling counseling
- Public education
- Extension services – camps in rural area