Audiology & Speech Therapy Courses in India

Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Do you want to become an Audiologist or a Speech Therapist? If yes, you will find this article to be of use! Here, I’ve listed some popular audiology and speech therapy courses available in India. Professional courses mentioned in this article can be pursued after completing 12th standard or graduation (relevant Degree). The article covers topics like course details, duration, eligibility criteria, admission process, career prospects and salary details.

What is audiology? Who is an audiologist, what are his/her tasks? What is it like to become an audiologist? You will find answers to these questions in the following paragraphs.

 

Audiology is a branch of Science that deals with the study of hearing, balance and disorders related to hearing.

 

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring auditory diseases. They diagnose and treat conditions like hearing problems, balance problems and tinnitus.

 

Audiologists use various tests (hearing tests and other methods) to assess the hearing condition of a patient. Using the tests, the hearing condition of a patient can be correctly determined by them! Based on their observation, audiologists then suggest or recommend solutions to cure the hearing problem. Solution could be hearing aid, cochlear implants or medications and medical procedures.

 

Apart from identifying, diagnosing and treating auditory diseases, audiologists are also capable of taking care of rehabilitation (of patients suffering from auditory diseases). They are capable of training and educating patients and patients’ family and thus help them with rehabilitation process.

 

Let us find out more details about speech therapist now! Who is a speech therapist? What are his/her tasks? What is it like to become a speech therapist? You will find answers to these questions in the following paragraphs.

 

Speech and language therapists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the field of communication and swallowing disorders. They are capable of identifying, evaluating and treating such disorders.

 

Audiology and speech therapy – both these fields have many things in common. Still, both are different careers and have some significant differences. Audiology mainly focuses on hearing disorders and ways to overcome such disorders. Speech therapy (Speech language pathology) focuses mainly on improving communication skills of a patient as well as solving serious condition like swallowing disorders.

 

Let us check out the courses now. Independent courses (Audiology/Speech therapy) as well as combination courses (Audiology + Speech therapy) have been listed below.

 

Audiology and speech therapy courses in India

At undergraduate level, audiology and speech therapy courses are available in the following formats in India –

• Bachelor’s Degree courses
• Diploma courses
• Certificate courses

 

At postgraduate level, following course formats are available –

• Master’s Degree (M.Sc.)
• PG Diploma
• PG Certificate
• PhD

 

Let us check out each undergraduate level course format –

 

1 Bachelor’s Degree courses

Some of the well known Bachelor’s Degree courses include –

• B.Sc. Audiology
• B.Sc. Audiology and Speech Rehabilitation
• B.Sc. Audiology and Speech Therapy
• BASLP

 

Type of course: The courses mentioned above are Bachelor’s Degree courses. To be more precise, they are Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree courses. On completion of the course, graduates will be awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree.

 

Course duration: 3 years. Each academic program mentioned above consists of 3 academic years.

 

Eligibility criteria: 10+2 passed from a recognized board with Science stream subjects (PCM/B). Minimum aggregate marks required could be anywhere between 45-55% marks (may vary from one institute to another).

 

Admission process: Most institutes follow merit based admission process. Under this process, marks scored by students in 12th board examination and relevant entrance test (state-wise, all India level or institute-wise) are taken into consideration. Seats are allotted to deserving candidates on the basis of merit marks scored by them.

 

PG courses and further studies: B.Sc. graduates may go for relevant M.Sc., PG Diploma as well as PG Certificate programs. PG course can be pursued to specialize in disciplines such as – paediatric treatment, balance disorders, cochlear implants, paediatric rehabilitation, neuro audiology etc.

 

If you are interested in further advanced courses, PhD (relevant) is a good option available in front of you.

 

2 Diploma courses

Diploma course is not as valued as its Bachelor’s Degree counterpart. Still, Diploma courses are job oriented too, and helps one acquire basic audiology and speech therapy knowledge. Some popular Diploma courses are –

• Diploma in Audiology
• Diploma in Audiology and Speech Therapy
• Diploma in Hearing, Language and Speech
• Diploma in Audiometry Technician (2 years long)

 

Type of course: The courses mentioned above are Diploma courses. On completion of the course, graduates will be awarded a Diploma certificate.

 

Course duration: Typical Diploma course lasts for a period of 1 year. Audiometry Technician course is 2 years long. Note that course duration may vary from one institute to another.

 

Eligibility criteria: 10+2 passed from a recognized board with Science stream subjects (PCM/B). Minimum aggregate marks required could be anywhere between 45-55% marks (may vary from one institute to another).

 

Admission process: Most institutes follow merit based admission process. Under this process, marks scored by students in 12th board examination and relevant entrance test (state-wise, all India level or institute-wise) are taken into consideration. Seats are allotted to deserving candidates on the basis of merit marks scored by them.

 

3 Certificate courses

Certificate courses are not as valued and detailed as its Diploma and Degree counterparts. Certificate courses are known to impart just basic knowledge (related to audiology and speech therapy). This course can be used to obtain audiology technician or assistant level job.

 

Career prospects and job opportunities

Diverse job opportunities are available in front of audiologists and speech therapists. Both private and government sector jobs are available in front of them.

 

Audiologists usually work closely with patients (young and old) suffering from hearing and balance disorders. They treat such patients using hearing aids, cochlear implants, medications or refer such patients to specialists. They also are known to educate and train patients as well as their families.

 

Audiologists may find work at setups like hospitals (private and government), clinics, NGOs, firms manufacturing hearing aids and implants etc. They may work closely with Physicians or start own patient education and counselling program (depends upon one’s qualifications). They may also start marketing or sales work (hearing aids and implants).

 

Also read:

Courses after 12th Science

Best Careers in India

Courses after 12th Science Biology group

Rehabilitation Science courses

Special Education courses

 

Speech therapists may work at setups like speech rehabilitation centres and NGOs. They may also start their own practice or work under the guidance of specialists.

 

Salary

Starting salary depends on factors like job location, profile of the employer and qualifications of the employee. Depending upon the above mentioned factors, starting salary could be anywhere between 8-12K Rupees per month. Salary figure will increase with time and work experience.