<p>Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (SLPA) are as rare as the tiger or the one-horned rhino! Consider these figures: the US, with a population of 300 million, has 135,000 speech pathologists whereas India has only 2,500 for its one billion-plus people. The demand for their services here is enormous as nearly 10 per cent of the population has a speech/ language/ hearing problem. <br /><br />Who they are<br />Professionals who work with those who have any speech language or hearing problem are termed as SLPAs. The problem could be due to a structural defect, a physiological problem or sometimes the cause may not be known. Hearing loss, voice problems, faulty pronunciation, stuttering and loss of speech are some of the classic examples where the services of an SLPA are needed.<br /><br />These professionals are not doctors. Although they diagnose the cause of the speech/ language/ hearing problem and treat it, their treatment is not medical or surgical. Neither are they teachers, although they do use pedagogical approaches to treat many disorders, especially in children. They work in close partnership not only with doctors and teachers but also with psychologists, social workers and many other related professionals.<br /><br />Where they train<br />To become an SLPA, one needs to undergo a 3-year professional degree course followed by a year of internship, where the candidate gets to work in different settings under supervision. Subsequently post-graduation and doctoral studies option also exist.<br />The profession demands a certain level of commitment. While attributes like analytical thinking and good language skills are necessary, patience, perseverance and people skills are equally important. <br /><br />It is essential to popularise this course for several reasons, the chief one being the acute lack of services. Gone are the days when work in the rehabilitation field was considered charitable work. Now remuneration, although not on a par with IT sector, is fairly good (a graduate can expect to take home at least Rs 15,000 a month). The demand for SLPAs is very high overseas.<br /><br />Most importantly, a majority of SLPAs love their job and consider it ‘special’. Radhika Poovaiah, Principal of Samvad Institute and an SLPA with over 20 years of experience, says: “We make a difference in people’s lives and this is perhaps the only course with a 200 per cent job guarantee!”<br /><br />The following institutions in Karnataka offer graduate/ post-graduate programmes. Eligibility is 50 per cent marks in 2nd PU (Science) or equivalent exam. <br />nAll India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570006. Ph: 0821-2514449.<br /><br />*Dr SRC Institute of Speech and Hearing, Lingarajapuram, Bangalore-560084. Ph: 25470037.<br />*Samvad Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore. Ph: 98450 18302.<br />*Naseema Institute of Speech & Hearing, No. 11, AVS Compound, 80 ft Road, 4th Block Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph:080-41517522 / 41507099.<br />nCapital College, Admn. Office, No. 628/C, 2nd Floor, 11th Cross, Indiranagar, Bangalore-560038.<br />*JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Ramanuja Road, Mysore-570044. Ph: 0821-2563845/ 2520092. <br />*Department of Allied Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal-576119. Ph: 0820-2571201/ 2570061.<br />*Dr MV Shetty Institute of Speech and Hearing, Hampanakatta, Mangalore -575001. Ph: 0824-2421953/ 24276546. <br />*Fr Muller Medical College Hospital, Father Muller Road, Kankanady, Mangalore -575002.<br />*NITTE Education Trust,<br />7th Floor, Ramabhavan Complex, Kodilabail, Mangalore -575003.<br />*Mangalore Academy of Professional Studies, Vyasa Nagar, Behind KPT Ground, Kadri Hills, Mangalore-575004.</p>
<p>Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (SLPA) are as rare as the tiger or the one-horned rhino! Consider these figures: the US, with a population of 300 million, has 135,000 speech pathologists whereas India has only 2,500 for its one billion-plus people. The demand for their services here is enormous as nearly 10 per cent of the population has a speech/ language/ hearing problem. <br /><br />Who they are<br />Professionals who work with those who have any speech language or hearing problem are termed as SLPAs. The problem could be due to a structural defect, a physiological problem or sometimes the cause may not be known. Hearing loss, voice problems, faulty pronunciation, stuttering and loss of speech are some of the classic examples where the services of an SLPA are needed.<br /><br />These professionals are not doctors. Although they diagnose the cause of the speech/ language/ hearing problem and treat it, their treatment is not medical or surgical. Neither are they teachers, although they do use pedagogical approaches to treat many disorders, especially in children. They work in close partnership not only with doctors and teachers but also with psychologists, social workers and many other related professionals.<br /><br />Where they train<br />To become an SLPA, one needs to undergo a 3-year professional degree course followed by a year of internship, where the candidate gets to work in different settings under supervision. Subsequently post-graduation and doctoral studies option also exist.<br />The profession demands a certain level of commitment. While attributes like analytical thinking and good language skills are necessary, patience, perseverance and people skills are equally important. <br /><br />It is essential to popularise this course for several reasons, the chief one being the acute lack of services. Gone are the days when work in the rehabilitation field was considered charitable work. Now remuneration, although not on a par with IT sector, is fairly good (a graduate can expect to take home at least Rs 15,000 a month). The demand for SLPAs is very high overseas.<br /><br />Most importantly, a majority of SLPAs love their job and consider it ‘special’. Radhika Poovaiah, Principal of Samvad Institute and an SLPA with over 20 years of experience, says: “We make a difference in people’s lives and this is perhaps the only course with a 200 per cent job guarantee!”<br /><br />The following institutions in Karnataka offer graduate/ post-graduate programmes. Eligibility is 50 per cent marks in 2nd PU (Science) or equivalent exam. <br />nAll India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570006. Ph: 0821-2514449.<br /><br />*Dr SRC Institute of Speech and Hearing, Lingarajapuram, Bangalore-560084. Ph: 25470037.<br />*Samvad Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore. Ph: 98450 18302.<br />*Naseema Institute of Speech & Hearing, No. 11, AVS Compound, 80 ft Road, 4th Block Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph:080-41517522 / 41507099.<br />nCapital College, Admn. Office, No. 628/C, 2nd Floor, 11th Cross, Indiranagar, Bangalore-560038.<br />*JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Ramanuja Road, Mysore-570044. Ph: 0821-2563845/ 2520092. <br />*Department of Allied Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal-576119. Ph: 0820-2571201/ 2570061.<br />*Dr MV Shetty Institute of Speech and Hearing, Hampanakatta, Mangalore -575001. Ph: 0824-2421953/ 24276546. <br />*Fr Muller Medical College Hospital, Father Muller Road, Kankanady, Mangalore -575002.<br />*NITTE Education Trust,<br />7th Floor, Ramabhavan Complex, Kodilabail, Mangalore -575003.<br />*Mangalore Academy of Professional Studies, Vyasa Nagar, Behind KPT Ground, Kadri Hills, Mangalore-575004.</p>
