It is that time of the year yet again when students of Class 12 and 2nd PU have to make choices for their future careers. Many youngsters who have chosen Science at this grade say they don't want to become engineers or doctors. "We want to do something different," they say. This "something different" can be a course in "Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (SLPA)".
It is an immensely satisfying and financially rewarding career where opportunities for personal and professional growth are vast and varied.
Introduction
SLPA is a field that deals with all types of speech and hearing problems. All speech/ language/hearing disorders come within the ambit of a Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. A child who is not speaking clearly, an adult who stutters, a young girl with a hoarse voice, an old woman who has had a stroke and who is unable to communicate, an elderly man with failing hearing are all prospective clients of a Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. In a country where there are nearly eight crore people with varying degrees and types of communication problems, there are hardly three thousand qualified Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists. With more and more training institutes coming up all over the country and specially in the south, this need is likely to be met at least partially.
Course
SLPA is a field that has branched out of fields such as medicine, psychology and education. Over the past 40 years, it has emerged as an independent discipline in the country, even acquiring specialisation. Graduate and post-graduate courses in SLPA are generally affiliated to their respective universities. Most universities follow the semester system. Recognition of the course by the Rehabilitation Council of India is mandatory. A B.Sc degree followed by internship is the minimum requirement to qualify as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist. Some institutions offer the M.Sc and PhD programmes as well.
The course content includes the study of the basic mechanisms of speech, language and hearing, their various disorders, their treatment and essentials of several related topics such as Psychology, Linguistics, Electronics, Acoustics and medical subjects. This diverse curriculum as well as hands on training equip the student to work in different settings.
Work settings
With increasing awareness about rights of the disabled, need for good communication skills and expanding scope of the field, newer career opportunities are emerging. Hospitals, special schools, academic institutions, NGOs, private practice and industries ( where noise levels need to be monitored and employees' hearing health protected) are some of the traditional settings.
Now more audiologists are finding work with big players in the hearing aid and cochlear implant (surgical device used with severely and profoundly hearing impaired individuals who are unable to derive significant benefit from hearing aids) manufacturing sectors. Corporate speech pathology is another emerging specialisation where employees are trained to improve their communication skills. Opportunities exist for speech language pathologists in the forensic field too where voice printing is an important tool.
Careers abroad beckon many young graduates. Be it work in clinical settings, public schools or academic institutions, many head abroad soon after completing their course. Some go there to pursue higher studies.
So, those of you who have studied science at pre university or equivalent level and who wish to pursue something different, do consider a career in SLPA. Some institutes conduct an entrance test. For cut off marks, fee structure etc, contact individual institutes.
The box below lists the important colleges offering the course.
LIST OF INSTITUTES
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing Manasagangotri, Mysore 6. Ph 2514449.
Dr SRC Institute of Speech and Hearing, Lingarajapuram, Bangalore 84. Ph 25470037.
Samvad Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore. Ph 9845018302
JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Ramanuja Road, Mysore - 570 044. Tel No. 0821-2563845/ 2520092.
Dr MV Shetty Institute of Speech and Hearing, Hampanakatta, Mangalore 575001. Ph 0824 – 2421953/2427654
Department of Allied Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 576119. Ph 0820- 2571201,2570061
Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute (Deemed University), Porur, Chennai-600 116
Ph. 044-24768027-29,31-33
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Hearing Handicapped(AYJNIHH), Southern Regional Center, Manovikas Nagar. Secunderabad 500009. Ph 27758500/ 27753385
AYJNIHH, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050. Ph 022-26400215/228/26427320
AYJNIHH, NRC, Kasturba Niketan, Lajpat Nagar-II, New Delhi-110024. Ph. 011 29815093
BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Dr. A.L. Nair Road, Mumbai-400008. Ph. 022-23081490
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Sector-12, Chandigarh-160012. Ph: 0172-2747585-602
for related info check
http://www.rehabcouncil.nic.in/home.html
