IKON
Miller Reese Hutchison an American electrical engineer and inventor. He developed some of the first portable electric devices, such as a hearing aid.
Hutchison was the inventor of the first electrical hearing aid, called the Akoulathon when it was first developed around 1895. It was also known as the microtelephone since it was essentially a self-contained version of the early telephone as invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the 1870s. His hearing aid was an electrical analog of the ear trumpet: a large carbon microphone called the “transmitter” captured the sound and delivered it to a small carbon “receiver”, which in turn delivered its output to the ear through headphones.
By 1902, he had refined the hearing aid into a more portable form powered by batteries, which he then called the Acousticon. The American press called the device a “miracle”, and Hutchison helped by staging publicity events, such as having Metropolitan Opera lead singer Suzanne Adams photographed singing to formerly deaf people
He exhibited at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the world’s fair in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904. Medical experts discovered the device had several drawbacks. Frequency and dynamic range were limited, and those who had total hearing loss were not helped. Batteries were still bulky and need to be changed often. However it was still regarded as “the best electrical aid for the semi-deaf yet devised.” He also developed related devices known as the Akou-Massage (renamed the Massacon), and Akoulalion, which converted audio into vibrations, to help those with more profound hearing loss. They were widely adopted by schools for the deaf in the US and Europe.
What is the job all about?
Audiologists examine inner and middle ear, cochlea (critical in hearing) and vestibular region (important for balance and spatial orientation). Depending on the problem, they conduct several other examinations including:
- Cleaning of the ear canal
- Fitting cochlear implant
- Prescribing speech therapy
- Hearing conservation programs, services and counselling
- Hearing research
An audiologist specializes in diagnosing and evaluating hearing problems using advanced technology. One can go up to an audiologist to know about the types of hearing loss, types of hearing aids and many more such complications.
Can I go for it?
There is an extreme shortage of Audiologist and if you feel you have a calling to help people with hearing loss then this is the right Career to take up as you would be helping many people at the same time doing very well monetarily.
Is there a future in this field?
The Hearing Aid industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and there are a wide variety ofhearing aids available which can suit various needs and various pockets.
Where do I start?
In Goa
There is no institute that caters for this need at the moment but you must do your XII in PCB
Outside Goa
An array of courses are available to become an audiologist ranging from diploma courses to bachelor’s and master’s courses. The aspirant must at-least earn a bachelor’s degree to be called an audiologist but to practice and become a professional audiologist, a master’s degree is important. Further, a doctoral degree (PhD or AUD) is needed to earn national certification. These degrees are well recognized abroad.
For admission in Bachelor’s, Mathematics and Science subjects are compulsory in 10+2. The candidate then needs to clear the entrance exam conducted by the University, the centre that conducts All India Medical Entrance Test or the State that conducts the Entrance Examination.
The various courses available in Audiology and Speech and Hearing are:
Sc. (Speech and Hearing)
Sc. (Audiology)
Sc. (Speech-Language Pathology)
Bachelors of Special Education (Hearing Impairment)
Diploma in Hearing Aid and Earmould Technology
Ed (Special Education-Distance Mode)
D. (Audiology)
D. (Speech-Language Pathology)
All India Institute of Speech & Hearing Mysore
Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at BharatiyaVidyapeethMedical College Pune
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped.Mumbai,Kolkata, Secunderabad, New Delhi
Dr SRC Institute of Speech and Hearing Bangalore, Mumbai
These Institutions offer a four-year Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) course. Few universities offer masters as well as doctorate degree in audiology. including both public and private, some with their own multidisciplinary clinical setups, provide Speech Pathology and Audiology programs, which are accredited by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
Employment Avenues
Audiologists can find employment in government and private institutions, teaching and healthcare establishments. They can also work with practicing physicians, hearing aid manufacturers and NGOs. They can also open their private clinics.
Owing to the increased number of cases of hearing problems, there is a dire need for more professionals in the area of audiology. Audiology provides patients ease from day-to-day distress of hearing and speech impairments. With advanced qualification in this field, the monetary compensation received is also competitive.
Monies:
Presently, there is a paucity of audiologists in India. As the cases of hearing impairment are increasing, audiology courses are in great demand. The earning depends on the qualification and practice. The initial salary may range from Rs 20,000 to 30,000 a month. With increase in experience and skills, the salary increases.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/