MSc Audiology: Audiologists are in high demand as Indian healthcare sector witnesses a state of boom

According to a report by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, Indian healthcare sector is expected to reach US$ 280 billion by 2020. It has emerged as one of the most progressive and largest service sectors in India. The report states that this sector is believed to be the next big thing after IT and predicted to become a US$ 280 billion industry by 2020.

This augmentation has paved the way for a basket of job opportunities in the medical industry. Not just that, an increased awareness of being presentable has led to an increased demand in the comparatively lesser known career as an audiologist.

G. Krishnakumar, audiologist and director, Rajan Speech and Hearing Center, Bengaluru explains, "An increased awareness of speech and hearing problems in the society means more people are reporting it. Hearing problems caused by noise pollution and latest life style gadgets also contribute to noise induced hearing problems thus requiring more professional helps from audiologists. Employment prospects are also good due to a large number of developments that include the provision of digital hearing aid technology and universal newborn hearing screening."

Their demand can be noted in the augmented number of colleges in this field. Krishnakumar adds, "Around 15 years back, there were only a handful of colleges and the overall strength was around 100. Now, the total number of colleges and students passing out of these colleges has grown almost five times and there is still a huge demand for audiologists."

BSc/MSc in audiology
Interested students can take up a B.Sc. course of four-year duration. After graduation, they can opt for a master's in audiology or speech pathology. At masters level, one can choose to specialise in both audiology and speech pathology or in either of them.

Career avenues
Audiologists have multiple career options and can work in government hospitals, health departments, private hospitals and clinics. Job opportunities are also available in community care clinics, rehabilitation centers, centres for disabled, nursing care facilities and clinics run by college and universities. They can also work privately or teach in medical or paramedical colleges.

Pay packet
Starting salary may be around Rs 10,000 per month and can reach a monthly salary of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month within four to five years of experiences.

Top institutes

• All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, www.aiishmysore.com
• T.N. Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, www.nair.edu
• Christian Medical College, Vellore, www.cmch-vellore.edu
• All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, www.aiims.edu

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