Audiology is a profession that offers a new life to people who suffer from speech impairments and hearing problems. With the development and progress of medical science, the role of speech therapists and audiologists has assumed great importance. Even though, India cannot boast of many audiologists, there are lots of potential and scope in this field of paramedicine.

Fundamentally, the work of a audiologist is to diagnose hearing and speech defects and to provide the appropriate therapy for voice articulation and speech fluency. These professionals deal with problems in articulation, hearing disorders, cleft palate, speech disorders due to mental retardation and injuries or brain dysfunction, delayed speech and stammering that require special treatment and care.

Techniques used in the field of audiology:

With the help of audiometer, professionals in the field of audiology assess hearing defects and they use some of the techniques like articulation exercises, lip reading and sign language for treatment of hearing and speech disorder in patients. These professionals will have to keep in touch with the family members of the patient and the school teacher if the patient happens to be school child and their psychologists and doctors for exchange of information and for observing the development of the patient.

Educational qualification requirement:

Candidates interested in finding job placement in the field of audiology can take up B. Sc Audiology course that extends to a period of three years. For taking this course, they must have studied in science background at the higher secondary level. Even, Master’s degree course is offered in a number of colleges in India and candidates can also take up specialization courses in the United States, where continuous research in taking place in this field. Even diploma and PG diploma courses in the field of audiology are being offered by many colleges in India. For practicing as an audiologist, candidates must be registered with either the Rehabilitation Council of India or Indian Speech and Hearing Association.

Government jobs in the field of Audiology:

When it comes to government jobs for professionals in the field of audiology, they can look for job placements in Government-run organizations like:

• Rehabilitation Centers

• Nursing Care facilities

• Hospitals

• Government health departments

• Community Clinics

• Community care centres

• Centre for disabled

• Schools and educational institutions for special education

Government jobs in teaching profession in Audiology:

When it comes to teaching jobs in special education institution, candidates with B. Sc Audiology followed by B. Ed in Special Education, can easily find job placements. Since B. Ed and B. Sc audiology course teaches them the techniques of handling special children, these personnel are in great demand in schools offering education for special children. Some of the popular institutions offering education to hearing impaired children and adults are:

• Ali Yuvar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped

• All India Institute of Health and Family Welfare

Of these institutions, Ali Yuvar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped  is an autonomous institution working under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Government of India and All India Institute of Health and Family Welfare is an institution working under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Government of India. These are government institutions and eligible candidates can apply for teaching positions in these institutions. Moreover, these institutions not only offer job placement to the teaching positions  alone, but also offers job opportunities for professionals in other field as well. Therefore, candidates with an interest towards a career in audiology can look for job opportunities in these institutions.

Thus, audiology is a professional field that offers wide range of job prospects not only to audiology professionals, but also for candidates from other fields as well.