India needs 10 times the number of audiologists it has

The Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology degree can open many career avenues, its placement records are stellar and salaries, generous. It needs better promotion

- Shradha Chettri

Every year, India produces just one-tenth of the audiologists it needs.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 63 million Indians suffer from significant auditory impairment. But, according to the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), only 2,500 students are graduating with a Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) degree every year. There's a massive gap between requirement and supply.

According to experts, it is one of the emerging allied health science courses, with growing demand in government healthcare, increased awareness about communication disorders, and also increasing need in rural areas.

The universities which run these courses — most of them private — say the course has so far achieved 100% placement but needs better promotion so that school students understand the opportunities and growth it offers.

An estimate by the US department of labour shows that from 2016 to 2026, there will be a 21% rise in the demand for audiologists' services and an 18% growth in demand for speech-language pathologists' services, globally.

Even the National Medical Journal of India states that by 2050, 19% of India's population will be over 60 years old, increasing the need for services addressing age-related ailments like hearing loss and mobility challenges.

Growth of BASLP course

It is a four-year course regulated by the RCI and it is open to students who have passed Class 12 by securing a minimum of 50% marks. The only criterion is that the students should have studied at least two science subjects. The course also includes a 10-month internship.