Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (ASLP)

Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (ASLP)

Overview

The Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (ASLP), established in 2002, addresses both normal and pathological aspects of communication and swallowing across the lifespan. The department functions as a specialized diagnostic and rehabilitation unit for hearing, balance, speech, language, cognition, and dysphagia disorders in both adults and children.

The services offered are interdisciplinary, extending across outpatient, inpatient, and community health sectors, in collaboration with ENT, Neurology, Pediatrics, OBG, ICU, and Rehabilitation Medicine.

Mission

• To offer accessible, ethical, and evidence-based clinical care in audiology and speech-language pathology

• To collaborate across departments for integrated care and early intervention

• To contribute to community well-being through public education and outreach

• To nurture a future-ready clinical workforce through skill development

Vision

To become a center of excellence in communication sciences by integrating patient care, public health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and training into a unified service platform.

Services Offered

Outpatient Services

• Audiological Evaluation: Pure Tone Audiometry, Impedance Audiometry, OAE, ABR, Speech Audiometry

• Vestibular Assessment: Basic screening and referral support

• Speech and Language Evaluation: Articulation, Fluency, Voice, Aphasia, Language Delay, Developmental Communication Disorders

• Swallowing Assessment: Clinical Bedside Evaluation and referral for VFSS/FEES when required

• Management Services:

  • Hearing aid selection, fitting & validation

  • Cochlear Implant evaluation, programming & follow-up

  • AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy) for pediatric cochlear implant users

  • Voice therapy, fluency therapy, speech-language interventions, dysphagia therapy

Inpatient Services

The department plays a critical role in the acute care and rehabilitation teams at HSK Hospital by conducting inpatient bedside evaluations and therapy for individuals with acquired or developmental communication and swallowing disorders.

Common Adult Cases:

• Stroke (CVA) – Aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive-linguistic deficits, dysphagia

• Brain Tumors – Communication breakdown, vocal deficits, swallowing difficulty

• Parkinson’s Disease – Hypophonia, reduced intelligibility, drooling, dysphagia

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – Bulbar muscle weakness, slurred speech, aspiration risk

• Dementia – Memory-based language loss, functional communication decline

Pediatric Inpatient Cases:

• GBS – Oral-motor coordination challenges

• Epilepsy – Postictal language confusion, regression

• Developmental delays and feeding difficulties in hospitalized neonates

Benefits of Bedside Evaluation & Therapy:

• Acute Stage:

  • Early identification of aspiration risk (silent or overt)

  • Communication screenings to support orientation and participation in care

  • Counseling for families about language and swallowing prognosis

  • Input on NGT/oral feeding, dietary modifications

• Chronic Stage:

  • Structured language and speech rehabilitation plans

  • Cognitive-communication therapy for return-to-work or academic skills

  • Swallow rehabilitation and progression to normal diet

  • Training caregivers in home-based therapy support

SLPs offer timely insights into patient readiness for therapy, discharge planning, and feeding transitions.

• Bedside Evaluation and Therapy for adult and pediatric patients with:

• Involvement in acute and chronic care planning with hospital teams

• Participation in ICU rounds, tumor boards, stroke units, and geriatrics team rounds

• Guidance for NGT/oral feeding, communication recovery, and rehabilitation

Community-Oriented Services

• Screening camps in collaboration with NGOs and government health departments

• Awareness programs for parents, schools, and caregivers

• Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS-Aligned)

  • In collaboration with OBG and Pediatrics Departments, the department conducts OAE and ABR-based newborn hearing screening, ensuring:

  • Universal coverage at the birthing center

  • Follow-up for at-risk infants

  • Integration with immunization and child development services

• Community Sensitization Programs

  • ASHA Workers: Trained to recognize early signs of communication and hearing disorders, refer newborns and children for evaluation

  • Anganwadi Workers: Equipped to use language checklists and counsel parents on developmental milestones

  • Training for ASHA and Anganwadi workers for early identification and referrals

• Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (GOI), the department participates in the ADIP Scheme:

  • Conducting camps in rural and semi-urban areas

  • Providing free hearing aids to low-income beneficiaries

  • Ensuring follow-up services like counseling and hearing aid maintenance. 

Collaborative Services

• Interdepartmental coordination with OBG, Pediatrics, ENT, Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine

• Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program in maternity and NICU setups

• MOU with BIRDS NGO and District Health Department, Bagalkote

• Weekly diagnostic and therapy services at District Government Hospital

Equipments Available

• Clinical Audiometer (2 channel)

• Impedance Audiometer (Tympanometry + Reflex)

• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) screener and diagnostic system

• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) system

• Speech and voice therapy instruments

• Cochlear implant speech processor programming unit

• Ear mould fabrication tools

Infrastructure Available

• Sound-treated audiology suites

• Speech-language therapy rooms with family participation

• AVT therapy cabins

• One-way mirror observation rooms for training

• Computer and digital resource lab

• Patient counselling rooms

• Ear mould and hearing aid labs

Faculty Details

Future Envision:

BVVS Institute of Speech and Hearing (BVVS-ISH)

The Basaveshwar Veerashaiva Vidyavardhak Sangha (BVVS) is developing a state-of-the-art BVVS Institute of Speech and Hearing in Bagalkote to expand academic capacity and clinical excellence in the region.

Key Highlights:

• BASLP Program with 40 intake, approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

• Designed to meet and exceed RCI Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) for infrastructure and staffing

• Will serve as both a training institute and tertiary referral center for communication disorders

Planned Infrastructure:

• 4 Digital Classrooms with modern AV tools

• Audiology Lab with ABR, OAE, Tympanometers, Audiometers

• Speech-Language Pathology Lab with therapy and analysis tools

• Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant fitting units

• Dedicated AVT cabins

• Clinical observation rooms with one-way mirror

• Digital Library, computer lab, seminar and discussion rooms

• Attached clinical practice via HSK Hospital and rural outreach units

The institute will strengthen clinical training, enhance research capabilities, and build a workforce equipped to meet global healthcare standards.

Career Opportunities

• Clinical Audiologists and SLPs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, ENT/Neuro clinics

• School-based and early intervention therapists

• Industrial audiologists and professionals in hearing technology

• Cochlear implant and AVT specialists

• Speech and swallowing therapists in ICUs and stroke rehab centers

• Academicians and clinical educators

• International opportunities (USA, Canada, Australia, UAE, etc.) often with scholarship support

Research Opportunities

• Clinical studies in auditory processing, cochlear implants, neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, etc.

• Opportunities to present at national and international conferences

• Research mentoring for students and faculty

• Future scope for collaborative multicenter projects