Neuro-audiology is a specialised branch of audiology dealing with the structure, function and disorders of the auditory neural pathway and the allied neural network. The scope of this branch is multidisciplinary.
Knowing the significance of this branch and its applications (facilitates specialised clinical services), the Mysore-based All-India Institute of Speech and Hearing, a key institution in the country striving for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, has launched a one-year post-graduate diploma in neuro-audiology (PGDNA). It is a credit-based course (two semesters) affiliated to the University of Mysore.
It is the third post-graduate diploma course of the AIISH in a span of two years. Like the other PGDs, this course is also research-oriented, promoting multidisciplinary research. The first multidisciplinary programme that was launched was the PG diploma in forensic speech science and technology.
Experts in the field of speech and hearing say the course is a stepping stone for those with a quest to gain knowledge through research in the area of audiology. Knowledge of neuro-audiology can be utilised to identify space- occupying lesions as well as diffused lesions of the auditory and associated neural pathways.
Unique course
“It is a very unique course and helps in the study of processing of auditory signals in persons who hear normally as well as a wide range of the clinical population. It is also useful in the evaluation of the auditory neural system. The course has been fine-tuned after a series of workshops by the Department of Audiology,” explains AIISH Director Vijayalakshmi Basavaraj.
Persons with a degree in speech and hearing or MBBS or master's in clinical/experimental/cognitive psychology with neuropsychology as part of the course are eligible for admission to the super specialty course.
Those with the above qualification, working in the electrophysiological laboratory or sponsored or deputed from hospitals, medical colleges or institutions would get an additional weightage of two per cent in admissions.
The course imparts research and clinical skills with regard to the auditory and vestibular system, trains the candidates with knowledge and skills necessary to carry out research on the subject and imparts latest knowledge on research in behavioural and electrophysiological evaluation of the hearing nerve and central auditory system.
Although neuro-audiology has a lot to do with audiology, its specification involves other disciplines such as neurology, neuroscience and clinical psychology. “Professionals in these disciplines can get essential information in the neuro-audiology course,” according to experts in AIISH.
The course was designed with inputs from senior speech and hearing professionals within the institute and outside the institute, as well as the contribution from allied professionals. “The admission shall be in accordance with the merit-cum-reservation policy and the short-listed candidates will have to clear the interview. The selection is made by a committee constituted by the director of the institute,” the institute said in the prospectus.
Stipend
Students admitted to the course shall be given a stipend of Rs. 500 per month for 10 months. The total number of seats is 10. The evaluation is done keeping the University of Mysore's requirements in mind.
“The admission for the year 2010-11 has been completed,” according to AIISH.
Having world-class infrastructure and expertise, AIISH has been in the forefront of addressing communication disorders and learning disabilities. The Centre for Rehabilitation and Education (CRE) has been launched to overcome the difficulty of reaching out to those suffering from communication disorders because of geographical constraints.
To meet the paucity of audiologists and speech therapists, this centre offers a diploma course in hearing, language and speech under distance education mode. It also focuses on extending clinical services to people with speech and hearing impairment.
