Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD)
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Preamble
With the motto to reach the unreached and facilitate prevention of various communication disorders, the Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD) at AIISH majorly focuses on creating awareness, prevention, early identification and management of individuals with communication disorders. The public is made aware of different communication disorders through public education materials, webinars, street plays, rallies and orientation programs. The department focuses on prevention of communication disorders right from infancy to old age. This is carried out through various screening programs such as New Born Screening, School Screening, Industrial Screening and Elderly screening for any hearing and speech related issues. For those identified with such disorders, the department offers rehabilitative measures through hearing aid dispensing and speech therapy services. The department has extended its clinical activities across the country through 31 outreach service centers at present. Also new outreach centers are approved by the ministry and are being initiated across the country. This makes our services truly reach the unreached in the society. The department also provides off campus training to students at graduate and post graduate levels as a part of man power development in the area of communication disorders. The department has contributed immensely to the epidemiological aspects of communication disorders through research and has contributed towards publications in national and international journals.
Aims and objectives
The Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD) is an out-reach department launched in the year 2008 at the premises of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore with a main motto to reach people directly and facilitate prevention of various communication disorders. The department majorly focuses on creating awareness about communication disorders, prevention, early identification and management of individuals with communication disorders.
Objectives of the department
- Primary Prevention – Educating the public through sensitization/orientation programs/webinars thereby creating awareness on communication disorders among different sections of society.
- Secondary Prevention – Early identification and assessment of communication disorders through various screening and diagnostic procedures
- Tertiary Prevention – Early rehabilitation and management of communication disorders
- Human Resource Development - Out-reach clinical training for UG and PG students to provide primary, secondary and tertiary prevention services for early identification and rehabilitation of communication disorders.
- Epidemological research
Faculty Members / Staff
| Photo | Name |
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Dr. N. Sreedevi Professor of Speech Sciences and Head, Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders Ph Off : 91-0821-2502-252/312 Email: sreedevi@aiishmysore.in |
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Dr. Arunraj K. Audiologist / Speech Language Pathologist, Department of Audiology Ph Off : 91-0821-2502-720 Email: nahularun@aiishmysore.in |
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Ms. Deepika R Assistant Grade III Ph Off : 2775 Email: deepika@aiishmysore.in |
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Vanamala Multitasking staff |
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Dr. Saransh Jain Assistant Professor of Audiology Email: saranshjain@aiishmysore.in |
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Dr. Sandeep.M Professor of Audiology Ph Off : 2502230 Email: msandeepa@aiishmysore.in |
| State | Center name & Address | Coordinator name | Staff name & Designation (Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Manasagangothri, Mysore – 570006. | Dr. N. Sreedevi Professor of Speech Sciences & Head, Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders. |
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| Outreach Service Centers (OSCs) | |||
| Karnataka | Taluk Hospital, Nanjangud (Tq), Mysore district. Community Health Centre, Bannur , Hullahalli, Mysore district. |
Dr. Suresh M N, Administrative Medical Officer |
Ms. Kavitha J (Speech-Language Pathologist) |
| Taluk General Hospital, K. R. Pete Taluk, Mandya District. Primary Health Centre, Akkihebbalu, Mandya District Sub-divisional hospital, K R Nagar Taluk, Yadavagiri, Mysore district |
Dr. Ravi Kumar Administrative Medical Officer Incharge | Ms. Priyanka N (Speech-Language Pathologist) | |
| Primary Health Centre, Gumballi, Yelandur, Chamrajanagar | Mr. Nagendra, Karuna Trust Manager. |
Ms. Vijayeshwari S (Speech-Language Pathologist) | |
| Sub-divisional (Taluk) Hospital, Sagara | Dr.Parappa K Administrative Medical Officer. |
Ms. BhagyashreeHegde (Audiologist) | |
| Vivekananda Memorial Hospital (VMH) Unit of Swami Vivekananda Youth Moment (SVYM),St Mary’s Hospital, Taluk hospital, HD Kote,Sarguru | Dr. Dennis Chauhan. Director, Head Community Based Program |
Ms. Sundareswari Pon(Speech-Language Pathologist) | |
| Gulbarga Institute of Medical Science/ District Hospital, Sedam, Kalburgi | Dr. Renuka Melkundi, Head of the Department MS ENT. |
Ms. Binusha S (Speech-Language Pathologist)
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| Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS), Madikeri | Dr. Shwetha, Associate Professor and Head of the Department Otolaryngology. |
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| Belgavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), Belagavi | Dr. Sathish Bagewadi, Associate professor. |
2. Ms. Shingi Dipti Santoshkumar (Audiologist) |
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| Bidar Institute of Medical Science | Dr.Sumanth Karanjikar Head of the Department ENT,Bidar Institute of Medical Science |
1. Mr. Athul P R (Audiologist)
2. Ms. Veda P (Speech-Language Pathologist) |
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| Koppala District Teaching Hospital, Koppal | Dr.K. MallikarjunaSwamy Head, Dept. of ENT |
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| Subdivision Hospital, Kundapura | Dr.NagbhushanUdupa, District Health Officer, Udupi District Dr. Robert Kundapura |
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| Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli | Dr.Raveendra P. Gadag Professor &Head of the Department, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli |
1. Ms. Maria Architaa(Speech-Language Pathologist)
2. Ms. Zohra Gohri (Audiologist) |
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| Bihar | Indra Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna | Dr.Rakesh Kumar Singh Professor &Head of the Department, Indra Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna |
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| Orissa | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneshwar | Dr PradiptaParida Dr Preetam C |
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| Madhya Pradesh | All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal | Dr. Vikas Gupta Additional Professor and Head –ENT |
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| Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal | Dr. Jyotsana Shrivastava Head,Dept. of Paediatrics, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal Dr. Smita Soni Head, Dept. of ENT,Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal |
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| Rajasthan | All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur | Prof. Amit Goyal, Head, Dept of Otorhinolaryngology | Ms. Arva Kapasi (Speech-Language Pathologist) |
| Uttarakhand | All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh | Dr. Manu Malhotra Professor & Head Mr. Amit Panwar Office Clerk |
Ms. Kajol N (Audiologist) |
| Kerala | Community Health Center, Malappuram | Ms. Pushpavally | Ms. Rini K R (Speech-Language Pathologist) Ms. Hasla Hamza (Audiologist) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida | Dr.Rahul Kumar Bagla, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of ENT |
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| Chattisgarh | Government Medical College Hospital, Surguja | Dr. B R Singh Medical Superintendent |
Ms. Meena Rao (Audiologist) |
| New Delhi | Lok Nayak Hospital | Dr.Rathore P K Head, Dept of ENT | Mr. Jeevan R S (Speech-Language Pathologist) |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mahatama Gandhi Memorial Medical college, Indore | Dr. Yamini Gupta HOD, ENT |
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| click here for images click here to view upcoming centres |
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| Click here for Newborn Screening Centers (NBS) | |||
Activities
The activities are majorly concentrated in and around AIISH as well as in extension centers (across states & rural areas) to meet the major objectives of prevention, early identification and rehabilitation of communication disorders.
1. Public Education
One of the major activities of the department is to facilitate and educate the general public at large regarding the communication disorders including hearing, speech and language disorders. The thrust is to create awareness among the public, community health workers, parents, teachers and others on the early signs and symptoms of various communication disorders, develop skills in them to facilitate their early identification. All these activities are geared towards preventing the occurrence of the disorders and control its impact or prevent its progression to further stages.
2. Clinical Services
a. Screening Services for Communication disorders
- New-born screening for communication disorders: It is the first step towards ensuring every new born child's ability to learning to speak. Normal hearing ability is the key stone for the development of normal communication skills. Hence all the new-born/infants must undergo hearing screening and screening for any developmental disorders within 1 month of birth ideally. This will facilitate early identification and early rehabilitation of at risk babies. At present Newborn/infant screening is carried out at 14 hospitals in and around Mysuru, 3 immunization centres, 7 newborn screening centres across the country, 23 Out-reach Service Centres at Primary Health Centre/Community Health Centre/Taluk Hospitals and 14 New Born Screening Centres at various Hospitals across the country. During the last annual report (April 2020 to December 2021), 30333 newborn babies were screened, out of which 9% of newborns were found to be at risk for communication disorders.
- Screening of Pre-school/School Children for communication disorders: Apart from newborns, the department also focuses on screening of school children at various levels such as preschool, primary, secondary and higher secondary levels in order to Create awareness, early identification and rehabilitation of communication disorders. School children are screened for any congenital or acquired hearing impairment and speech and language disorders, reading and writing disorders (learning disability) during the developmental period. As per the annual report(2021), 1616 children from schools in and around different districts of Karnataka were screened for communication disorders. Among the total children screened, 269 (16.6%) were found to be at-risk for communication disorders.
- Hearing screening for Industrial Workers: Exposure to noise is a serious health hazard. Industrial workers are vulnerable to hearing loss. Programs in this direction focuses on screening the hearing of employees for the presence of noise induced hearing loss. It also involves educating the employers and employees about the ill-effects of noise on hearing through orientation and sensitization programs, suggesting ways for conservation of hearing and protection of the ears through the use of a variety of ear protective devices. Follow-up diagnostic evaluation of every employee at risk or for hearing loss developed due to exposure to noise is carried out at the institute or at on-site whenever required. During the last annual year (2020-2021), 978 industrial workers were screened. Out of the total, 331 workers were identified with hearing loss (34%) and were referred for detailed audiological evaluation.
- Screening of Elderly Citizens for communication disordrs: The elderly individuals may show a gradual decline in their hearing, cognition, speech and language abilities due to aging or any other conditions such as stroke (CVA), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc. This program is initiated to help elderly individuals to hear and communicate better. Various old-age homes, societies, clubs etc., are identified and the clinical services such as identification of communication disorders, rehabilitation through speech and language therapy, guidance and distribution of free hearing aids are the services provided. As per the elderly screening report (2013-2019), 678 participants were screened for communication disorders. Among the total participants, 458 individuals were identified with hearing-related and communication disorders, reflecting the vulnerability of elderly population to these disorders. During the last annual year (2020-2021), this activity was suspended due to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19.
- Camp for identification of communication disorders: Camps are conducted at various places within Karnataka and other states of the country to cater to the needs of persons with communication disorders. Camp site is based on the requisition from any organization, sponsored by NGOs and state and/or district government agencies
- Bedside screening for cognitive, communicative and swallowing disorders: The Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD) has initiated a new program which allows for bedside assessment and intervention in adults undergoing acute care for any neurological or head and neck surgery conditions which leads to speech, language, cognitive and swallowing impairments. Such screening will facilitate identifying these problems using standardized protocols. Those at requirement of services will be counselled and referred for detailed assessment to AIISH.
b. Diagnostic services for communication disorders
- Tele new born screening services: Amidst the pandemic scenario, Department of POCD carries out tele-screening of new born babies as onsite visits are suspended. Parents are counseled to observe the developmental milestones of speech and hearing and to consult professionals as early as possible if risk is identified. And also the newborns who are identified at risk for communication disorders are regularly followed up through phone call until 1 year of age in order to facilitate early identification and early rehabilitation.
- Outreach Service Centers (OSC): The clinical activities are not only restricted to in and around Mysore, but also extended to rural areas where facilities for clinical services for persons with communication disorders may not be available. Thirty one OSCs have been initiated to meet the objective of extending services of the institute to rural areas. The OSCs are functioning as a well-equipped unit in taluk level/PHCs/CHCs/District hospitals for screening, diagnostics and therapeutic services for persons with communication disorders. The services include all the screening programs of the department along with Speech and Language evaluation, Audiological evaluation, ENT evaluation, Speech-Language therapy, Issue of hearing aids and ear molds.
c. Rehabilitative services for communication disorders
Tertiary prevention activities involve improving the quality of life of persons with various communication disorders by evaluating and diagnosing the disorders, providing rehabilitation to prevent its adverse effect on individual's quality of life. The following rehabilitation services are provided at the outreach service centers for both children and adults.
3. Human Resource Development
Students pursuing their graduate and post graduate programs in the field of speech & hearing are trained to screen, evaluate and rehabilitate persons with communication disorders across different age groups in hospitals, schools, industries and old age homes. The internship students from other institutes are also trained on these extension activities.
4. Research
The department has a specialized Epidemiology Unit. This unit has been launched in order to stimulate research in the area of communication disorders and establish a centralized data bank on various communication disorders. Several publications have been made using the data collected from the programs carried out by the department.
- Screening of Elderly Citizens for communication disordrs: The elderly individuals may show a gradual decline in their hearing, cognition, speech and language abilities due to aging or any other conditions such as stroke (CVA), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc. This program is initiated to help elderly individuals to hear and communicate better. Various old-age homes, societies, clubs etc., are identified and the clinical services such as identification of communication disorders, rehabilitation through speech and language therapy, guidance and distribution of free hearing aids are the services provided. As per the elderly screening report (2013-2019), 678 participants were screened for communication disorders. Among the total participants, 458 individuals were identified with hearing-related and communication disorders, reflecting the vulnerability of elderly population to these disorders. During the last annual year (2020-2021), this activity was suspended due to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19.
- Camp for identification of communication disorders: Camps are conducted at various places within Karnataka and other states of the country to cater to the needs of persons with communication disorders. Camp site is based on the requisition from any organization, sponsored by NGOs and state and/or district government agencies.
- Bedside screening for cognitive, communicative and swallowing disorders: The Department of Prevention of Communication Disorders (POCD) has initiated a new program which allows for bedside assessment and intervention in adults undergoing acute care for any neurological or head and neck surgery conditions which leads to speech, language, cognitive and swallowing impairments. Such screening will facilitate identifying these problems using standardized protocols. Those at requirement of services will be counselled and referred for detailed assessment to AIISH.
- Tele new born screening services: Amidst the pandemic scenario, Department of POCD carries out tele-screening of new born babies as onsite visits are suspended. Parents are counseled to observe the developmental milestones of speech and hearing and to consult professionals as early as possible if risk is identified. And also the newborns who are identified at risk for communication disorders are regularly followed up through phone call until 1 year of age in order to facilitate early identification and early rehabilitation.
- Outreach Service Centers (OSC): The clinical activities are not only restricted to in and around Mysore, but also extended to rural areas where facilities for clinical services for persons with communication disorders may not be available. Thirty one OSCs have been initiated to meet the objective of extending services of the institute to rural areas. The OSCs are functioning as a well-equipped unit in taluk level/PHCs/CHCs/District hospitals for screening, diagnostics and therapeutic services for persons with communication disorders. The services include all the screening programs of the department along with Speech and Language evaluation, Audiological evaluation, ENT evaluation, Speech-Language therapy, Issue of hearing aids and ear molds.
- Issue of free digital hearing aids for BPL card holders
- Medical treatment for ENT related disorders
- Speech and Language therapy
Epidemiological Research Reports
Elderly Screening: Distribution of Communication Disorders in Older and Elderly Adults
Editor: Prof. M. Pushpavathi
Year of release: 2022
Authors: Dr.Swapna N, Dr.Arunraj K, Dr.Vasantha Lakshmi M S, Dr.Prawin Kumar, Dr.N Sreedevi, Ms.Thasni Jahan, Ms.Aparna U, Ms.Reshma O
Elderly Screening: Distribution of Communication Disorders in Older and Elderly Adults
School Screening report on Communication Disorders: At-risk prevalence rate of Hearing and Speech-Language disorders in school children report 2008-2020
Editor: Prof. M. Pushpavathi
Year of release: 2022
Authors: Dr.N Sreedevi, Dr.Arunraj K, Dr.Vasantha Lakshmi M S, Dr.Sandeep Maruthy, Ms.Spoorthi T, Ms.Srividya S, Ms.Ankitha S
Newborn Hearing Screening Program of AIISH: A Report
Editors: Dr. M Pushpavathi, Dr. N Sreedevi
Year of release: 2022
Prepared by: Dr. Sandeep M, Mr. Srinivasa R, Dr. Arunraj K
Contributors: Ms.Saranya M, Ms. Thirumanjari, Ms. Apoorva Prathibha
Newborn Hearing screening program of AIISH
School screening report on Communication disorders: At risk prevalence rate of hearing and speech- language disorders in school children
Editors: Prof. M Pushpavathi
Year of release: 2022
Authors: Dr N Sreedevi, Dr. Arunraj K, Dr. Sandeep M, Dr. Vasanthalakshmi M.S, Ms. Spoorthi T, Ms. Srividya S, Ms. Ankitha S.
Elderly screening: Distribution of Communication Disorders in Older and Elderly Adults
Editors: Prof. M Pushpavathi
Year of release: 2022
Authors: Dr. Swapna N, Dr. Arunraj K, Dr. Vasanthalakshmi M.S, Dr Prawin Kumar, Dr. N Sreedevi, Ms. Thasni Jahan K, Ms. Aparna U, Ms. Reshma O.
Outreach Services
Outreach Service Centres
Recent Events
Upcoming events
A school screening camp is scheduled for 12.08.2022 at Wings Montessori school, J.P Nagar, Mysore for preschool children. The number expected to be screened is 70.
An Industrial screening camp is scheduled for 10th-11th August at Trinton Valves, Belavadi, Mysore. The number of employees of Trinton Valves expected to be screened is 400.
A school screening camp is scheduled for 25.08.2022 at Mount Litera Zee School, Mysore for school children. The number expected to be screened is 100.
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