Audiometrist requirement at JNIMS

Dr. Rajkumar Umesh Singh *

In response to this advertisement, I would like to draw the attention of ENT(HOD) and our medical or health planners in Manipur. Our prestige centre like, JNIMS needs an Audiologist also. Hearing loss is an invisible problems having a lot of major implications in one’s quality of life. Early intervention is a catch phrase in the hearing rehabilitation field, therefore a new born screening programme is the requirement and need of the our in Manipur. We need sophisticated instruments like ABR,Impedance Audiometry, OAE and ENG. Let us also not to forget about the Vestibular clinic, it is a specialized area. JNIMS is a teaching hospital, then who is going to teach Audiology as a part of ENT curriculum? Let me draw attention of our health planners, Audiology is a vast subject and please refer to American Academy of Audiology (AAA) or Audiology online updates. Medical science is advancing.

What is an Audiometrist? This is definitely diploma level job!

Audiometrists are Hearing Care professionals who specialize in the non-medical assessment and management of communication difficulties caused by hearing loss. Audiometrists hold a qualification from a Registered Training Organization such as TAFE NSW which involves two (2) years of formal study followed by a further two (2) years on-the-job- training after which they may be considered fully qualified provided they can prove they meet the highest Industry Standards of best practice. In India, Diploma in communication disorder(D.C.D.) from AYJNIHH may be considered for such a job.

By conducting clinical hearing assessment the Audiometrist will determine if a hearing loss is present, the nature and degree of any loss and how this may be impeding the client’s communication ability and quality of life. If a rehabilitation programme is required which may include the fitting of prescriptive hearing instruments or some other client management protocol, then the Audiometrist will work with the client to establish a course of action that best suits his or her needs.

By working together with the client and often the client’s family and friends the Audiometrist can achieve a successful rehabilitation outcome that brings a renewed sense of well being and confidence to the hearing impaired individual.

How can an Audiometrist help?

The Audiometrist will clinically assess the hearing thresholds of the client to determine if a hearing aid fitting is indicated. At the fitting appointment the Audiometrist will give instruction to the client and any family or friends who may be involved, in the management of the hearing device/s, how to care for the instrument/s and how to gradually become accustomed to hearing and listening again. The Audiometrist will develop a rehabilitation programme to ensure the optimal benefit is gained from the hearing instruments that are prescribed.

Hearing instruments are available in different makes, models and styles. The device/s prescribed will be determined with regard to the individual requirements of each client taking into consideration their needs.

Working as an AUDIOLOGIST

An audiologist works with patients as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. They identify and assess hearing and/or balance disorders, recommending and providing appropriate rehabilitation and management. In a country like Egypt, one can become an audiologist only after graduating MBBS degree and even in UK Universities like Manchester University, offered Master of Audiology only after basic medical degree.

Audiology is a rapidly developing field, and the need for audiological services is clear. I would like to mentioned some example from the UK model. A national study of UK publics had shown that approximately 16% of the study population have a significant hearing loss, indicating that working in this field is an important area of the NHS. In fact, in our Manipur probably we have no actual data figures available to our health planners, it is all rather wildly imaginative figures or subjective manipulations only. The audiologist's role is both challenging and varied. Audiologists need to be able to communicate with people of all ages. They need to be able to think logically and adopt a scientific approach combined with caring and patient focused attitude to their work.

Many audiologists develop a special interest and expertise in one area of audiology, such as paediatrics or balance.

The main areas of work are:

• paediatrics
• adult assessment and rehabilitation
• special needs groups
• research and development

Once qualified, most audiologists work in a hospital, assessing and treating patients, and may reach consultant level. Some audiologists work in a university, where their job is primarily concerned with teaching and research.

Some audiologists may operate a referral clinic and may be the only point of contact for the patient. In this case, the audiologist will examine the patient and prescribe the appropriate hearing aid or arrange onward referral for further investigation. There are currently three ways to become an audiologist. These are:

• BSc degree in audiology
• MSc in audiology
• postgraduate diploma in audiology
• Doctor of Audiology/P.hd.programmes

Entry requirements
The usual entry level for the BSc in audiology is a range of GCSEs (A-C) including English and science/maths with three A levels.
At least one A level will generally be needed in a science subject. Important - It is advisable to check entry requirements with the institution of your choice, as entry levels may vary.

Many of these universities also offer the MSc and postgraduate diploma. The MSc and postgraduate diploma programmes usually require a science subject at degree level such as biological sciences or physics.

Training programmes
A BSc in audiology* is four years in length - the first two years of the four year BSc are spent at university. Students will learn about the science behind tests and treatments that are used in hospitals and acquire the knowledge needed to work with patients in a therapeutic relationship.

The third year will be spent on clinical placement in an audiology setting, learning how to carry out some of the procedures a qualified audiologist performs and learning how audiology services work in the NHS.

The final year will be spent back at university learning about more advanced aspects of audiology and completing a dissertation. Students on MSc and postgraduate diploma programmes need to acquire assessed clinical experience as part of their studies or through part-time employment.

Audiologists who have trained through one of the above routes are eligible to apply for registration with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists.
*Please note that: "Most degree programmes are taking in a 2010 cohort for the BSc (Hons) Audiology. However, it is anticipated that from 2011 this will be replaced by a new programme as part of Modernising Scientific Careers. This will include an audiology pathway and exiting students will be eligible to work in the NHS as audiologists. This programme will be 3 years in duration and will include clinical placement. The undergraduate curriculum is just in its final stages of formulation.

Prospective students can expect to see further information on this shortly" (information from the British Academy of Audiology, June 2010). It is also possible for graduates with appropriate science degrees at first or upper-second classs level, to apply for training as a clinical scientist in audiology through the Clinical Scientist Training Scheme.

Training initially takes one year leading to an MSc, followed by 18-24 months supervised in-service clinical placement culminating in a written, practical and oral presentation to obtain the BAA Certificate of Audiological competancy.

In U.K. Clinical scientists in audiology who have successfully completed their training must register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) in order to practice. Regarding, our Manipuri B.Sc. speech and hearing graduates, if there is anyone, they must try to complete their Master degree programmes, because well paying and highly dignified jobs are plenty in abroad including Europe, USA, Middle-East and Australia. What they offered in JNIMS is not a deserving one? Think twice!

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* Dr. Rajkumar Umesh Singh (a resident of Saudi Arabia) contributes to e-pao.net regularly.
The writer is MS(Paediatric Audiology), MBA(HCS) and presently working as a Consultant at SIEMENS Medical Centre, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and can be contacted at rkumesh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
This article was posted on February 13, 2011.

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