FACULTY

Name Area of interest Dr. Asha Yathiraj Professor in Audiology & Head Ph Off (Extn): 180 E-mail: ashayathiraj@rediffmail.com Management of the hearing impaired, Paediatric Audiology, Speech Perception, Amplification Devices, Cochlear Implants Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Reader Ph Off (Extn): 182 E-mail: veenasvijaya@gmail.com Psychoacoustic Studies, Sign Language, Amplification Devices. Mr. Animesh Barman Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 182 E-mail: mailto:nishiprerna@rediffmail.com Auditory Physiology, Diagnostic Audiology Mrs. P. Manjula Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 183 E-mail: manjulap21@hotmail.com Rehabilitation of the Aurally Handicapped, Amplification Devices, Noise Measurement, Cochlear Implants Mr. S. N. VINAY Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 576 E-mail: vinaysn@lycos.com Psychoacoustics & Diagnostic Audiology Ms. N. M. Mamatha Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 187 E-mail:mamms_20@rediffmail.com Auditory Physiology, Diagnostic Audiology, Amplification Devices Ms. N. Devi Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 186 E-mail:devi_aiish@yahoo.co.in Rehabilitative Audiology, Diagnostic Audiology Mr. M. SANDEEPA Lecturer in Audiology Ph Off (Extn): 181 E-mail:msandeepa@gmail.com.in Evoked Potential & Speech Perception

ACTIVITIES

The department of Audiology is involved in clinical services which include clinical services which include preventing hearing loss, evaluating hearing, selecting and fitting of amplification devices and making of custom ear molds, rehabilitation of the hearing impaired. In addition to clinical activities, the department is involved in public education activities, is involved in public education activities and imparts training and undertakes research activities

A. Clinical Services:

The clinical services in the department may be categorized as hearing evaluation, rehabilitation and extension services.

1. Hearing evaluation:

Hearing evaluation involves both screening for the presence of a hearing impairment as well as detailed assessment of hearing. Hearing screening is carried out for individuals in different age groups ranging from newborn   babies to the geriatric. The hearing screening is carried out using behavioural tests, objective tests or hearing check lists. Those who fail the screening test are referred for detailed evaluation. A few of the behavioural tests used at the Institute are puretone audiometry and  speech  audiometry. Facilities to carry out visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) is also available, which make it possible to obtain voluntary responses from children as young as six months. Using objective tests, responses to auditory stimulus can be obtained without the voluntary response from the individual. The objective tests used include, immittance evaluation and measurement of auditory evoked potentials, as well as state-of-the-art techniques such as measurement of otoacoustic emissions and Auditory Steady State Evoked Potentials. Hearing evaluation is also carried out regularly for individuals employed in noisy situations to note their base-line hearing abilities and to monitor progress of hearing loss. After the hearing assessment, appropriate referrals or rehabilitative procedures are commended. The referral could be for a medical/surgical line of treatment. The evaluations are carried out not only to assess the hearing status but also to determine the type of device that is most appropriate for the client. This includes devices such as hearing aids, assistive listening devices or cochlear implants.

2. Rehabilitation:

Hearing aid and assistive listening devices: These include body level and ear level (Behind-the-ear, spectacle, in-the-ear, in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids) hearing aids. Conventional, programmable and digital hearing aids are also available for testing the patients. Recently the department has also been equipped to carry out mapping of cochlear implants. Assistive listening devices help the hearing impaired person obtain additional information in situations where a hearing aid alone may not be effective. These devices enhance perception of sounds/speech such as doorbells, telephone ring, telephone conversation and television signals. Ear molds: A ear mold is used to couple specific types of hearing aids to the ear of the user. Facilities are available for providing hard molds, soft molds and shell for in-the-ear and canal type hearing aids. Counselling: As fitting hearing aids is not an end in itself, patients are trained/counselled regarding hearing aid care, use and on adjusting to hearing aid. They are also given guidelines for auditory training, speech reading and communication strategies. Therapy: Clients who require auditory learning therapy or training in the use of speech reading or communication strategies are given therapy. The duration of therapy depends on the age of the individual or the quantum of problem faced by the person. For outstation clients, demonstration therapy is imparted. Home training programs are given to all clients.

3.Extension services

Screening programs are conducted in Immunization centers, schools, rural areas, general hospitals, home for the aged etc Camps are conducted in rural and tribal areas where hearing aids are dispensed Orientation programs on hearing impairment are held periodically

B. Public Education:

Public awareness is created regarding prevention, identification and rehabilitation of hearing impairment. Audiovisual material such as slides, tapes, videos, pamphlets, posters and models are used for the public education activities. Orientation lectures are  given to specific target groups such as field workers, social workers, health workers, anganawadi workers, school teachers, nurses and nursing trainees and other medical professionals. Street plays are carried out in rural areas on specific topics regarding prevention of hearing impairment. The public education material is available in different languages.

C. Training

Diploma in HA & ET BSEd (Hearing Impairment) B.Sc (Speech & Hearing) M.Sc (Audiology) Short-term training courses Refresher courses

RESEARCH     A. Research Projects Completed Development of audio-visual resource materials for the geriatric hearing impaired and their families - Funded by Helpage U.K. Help the aged with communication disorders - Funded by Helpage India. Evaluation and follow up of hearing aid users - Funded by Ministry of Welfare, Government of India Better molds for more people A proposal for upgrading earmold technology - Funded by S & T Mission mode, Ministry of  Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Training modules on prevention of deafness - Funded by WHO Finalization of matter for five training modules has been carried out. These include the following:          Training module for industrial employees          Training module for the hearing impaired and/or the guardians of the hearing impaired.          Training module for nurses and medical professionals          Training module for grass-root level workers          Training module on basic sound generation Designing and printing of the training module for  nurses is in progress. Prevention of deafness and hearing impairment - Funded by AIISH Fabrication of mobile audiological test unit - Funded by Government of Karnataka & AIISH Fabrication of visual reinforcement unit - Funded by AIISH Fabrication of software for evaluation of central auditory disorders - Funded by AIISH Effect of auditory stimulation in central auditory processing in children with CAPD - Funded by AIISH Sensitivity and specificity of audiological tests in differential diagnosis of auditory disorders - Funded by AIISH Evaluation battery for auditory processing disorders in school going children - Funded by AIISH

B.  On-Going Projects Prevention of deafness, hearing impairment and communication disorders- funded by AIISH Late latency responses in children with learning disability- funded by AIISH

SHORT TERM TRAINING PROGRAMS Information on the short-term training programs conducted at the department is as given below. These courses were conducted for speech and hearing and allied populations -          Audiometers/Audiogram Audiological tests Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory system Immittance Evaluation Evoked Repose Audiometry Insertion gain measurement Auditory Training/Learning Speech Reading/Communication training Setting up classrooms for the hearing impaired Hearing Aids Causes of hearing loss Assistive listening devices Hearing aid care and trouble shooting Mainstreaming the hearing impaired Earmold and its modifications Electroacoustic measurements of hearing aids Early identification of hearing disorders Electrophysiological measures of the ear Hearing aids and aural rehabilitation Audiovisual course in noise measurement and hearing conservation

CONTACT

Dr. Asha Yathiraj

HOD Audiology

All India Institute of Speech & Hearing

Manasagangothri

Mysore - 570 006

Karnataka State

India

Telephone: 91-0821-2514449 / 2515410 /2515805 Extn: 180

Fax: 91-0821-2510515

Grams: Speechearing

Email: ashayathiraj@rediffmail.com

Working Hours : 09:00 am to 05:30 pm IST Working Days    : Monday to Friday