A general protocol for evaluation and management of speech-language and swallowing disorders.
A general protocol for audiological evaluation and management
Speech Pathology & Audiology
Welcome to the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology. The department was established on 20th June 2018 under the faculty of Allied health and Basic Sciences, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research. The objective of the department is to provide professional training and clinical services of the highest standard.
The field of speech and hearing is concerned with the diagnosis and management of communication disorders. Speech-language Pathologists cater to persons with disorders such as delay in language development, autism, cognitive-communication disorders, stuttering, cleft lip and palate, voice and swallowing disorders, among others. Audiologists attend to persons with hearing impairment, tinnitus, disorders of balance, and related issues.
The incidence of communication disorders in the country is estimated to be about 2.6%. It puts a huge burden on the family. Many of these problems are preventable or can be addressed effectively if identified early. Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research has established a new Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. It is hoped that those affected with speech and hearing disorders in and around Kolar will avail of our clinical services. The department would be offering many innovative clinical programs encompassing the state of technology for the benefit of our population.
The affected clinical population in and around Kolar had to go to Bangalore or Mysore all these years for availing clinical services. It was a time consuming and costly process. Besides, speech-language therapy being a prolonged affair, most of the people could not get speech and hearing services on a long term basis. Thanks to the initiative of the Academy, our people can get such services near to their doorsteps at RLJH. The department of speech pathology and audiology has state-of-the-art infrastructure to evaluate and manage communication disorders.
Furthermore, we are providing a comprehensive speech, language, swallowing and hearing evaluation and management under one roof. Besides, people who require complementary services can visit the other clinical departments of the hospital.
Treatments and Procedures
Facilities and Services
Speech-Language Pathology
Audiology
Assessment of hearing is carried out through the following specialized tests
- Pure tone audiometry
- Conditioned play audiometry/ Visual reinforcement audiometry
- Speech audiometry
- Tympanometry & Acoustic reflex
- Newborn hearing screening
- Tinnitus evaluation
- Brainstem evoked auditory response
- Otoacoustic emissions
- Vertigo and Balance testing
Management of hearing, balance, and related disorders through
- Hearing aid trial and fittingy
- Hearing aid programming and analysis
- Tinnitus maskers
- Auditory verbal therapy & Vestibular rehabilitation
Disorders commonly diagnosed and managed at the department
The speech-language pathology unit at the department is actively involved in the assessment and management of individuals with various speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The speech-language pathology section has multiple specialized units such as professional voice care unit, augmentative and alternative communication, dysphagia clinic, and telemedicine. A detailed assessment is carried out using instrumentation, test materials, and specialized software.
The audiology unit at the department is actively involved in the identification, assessment, and management of individuals with hearing and balance disorders. The department has state of art facilities to assess and evaluate the hearing loss of all ages at an affordable cost and the people do not have to go to Bangalore or Mysore to avail of these services. The department has been disbursing hearing aids of different types at a discounted price (25%). In addition, the department is planning to launch a cochlear implant program which will be very beneficial for children with congenital hearing loss.
The department has the expertise and facility to evaluate and treat the following disorders
Developmental Delay, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Childhood Aphasia, Mental Retardation, Learning Disability, Misarticulation, Phonological disorder, Stuttering, Voice disorders, Childhood apraxia of speech, Aphasia, Dementia, Dysarthria, Stuttering, Apraxia, Voice, Dysphagia, Hearing disorders, Balance disorders, Tinnitus, Hyperacusis.
Faculties
Unit 1 (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy)
Activities
- Orientation for special educators on the importance of inclusive education on 3rd December 2019
- A screening camp was organized for children with Hearing Impairment on 3rd December 2019, at Sri Sai Shathashrunga residential school for Deaf, Bangarapet, Kolar. 54 children underwent screening for speech-language and hearing abilities. 24 children were referred to the Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology, SDUAHER, Tamaka, Kolar for detailed evaluation.
- Orientation for Nurses on the importance of Newborn hearing screening on 12 and 13 February 2020
- Orientation for Village rehabilitation workers and multi-rehabilitation workers on aids and appliances for hearing loss on 3 March 2020
- An article on Autism was published in two local Kannada newspapers ‘Kolara Kirana’ and ‘Kolaravani’ on 2nd April 2020 on the occasion of World Autism awareness day
- Development of Public education material:
- Handout on Hearing health care and Rehabilitation in Kannada
- Handout on Autism in both English and Kannada