Audiology

Sounds consist of acoustic waves that are collected by the outer ear and amplified by the inner ear. Hearing is one of the most crucial of the five sensory organs since it allows us to communicate with the auditory world. Individuals with hearing problems should undergo a complete hearing evaluation.

Hearing evaluation, also known as audiological evaluation, involves tests performed by an audiologist to provide information on the following:

  • Is a hearing loss present?
  • Which frequencies (or pitches) are affected?
  • How severe the hearing loss is?
  • What is the type of hearing loss?

Patients referred for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment receive a test battery that includes:

  • Play audiometry (up to 3 years of age)
  • Pure tone audiometry (3 years and above)
  • Immittance audiometry
  • Tympanometry
  • Acoustic reflex audiometry
  • Eustachian tube function test
  • Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) / Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA)
  • Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

The evaluation will also include recommendations from the audiologist regarding the choice of hearing aid for the patient.

  • Oto Acoustic Emissions (OAE): Audiology Site Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) is used as a screening tool for hearing in neonates or new born children. OAE test is very useful for the assessment of hearing defects in newborn babies and in children who are too young to cooperate in conventional hearing tests.
  • Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA): BERA is an objective test. In this test, evoked potentials in brain and the auditory pathway are collected from ongoing electrical activity with the help of electrodes placed over the scalp. BERA is used for newborn hearing screening, auditory threshold estimation, intraoperative monitoring, determining hearing loss type, degree, and auditory nerve and brainstem lesion detection.
  • Immittance Audiometry (IA): IA is a measurement of the middle ear functions. It provides information about the movement of eardrum, status of middle ear and type of hearing loss.
  • Pure tone Audiometry (PTA): PTA is a subjective test, used for the assessment of the Hearing Sensitivity of an Individual. It provides information about the hearing sensitivity in terms of the Degree and Type of the hearing loss.
Speech Therapy

The Department of Speech Therapy at Poona Hospital & Research Centre caters to individuals experiencing communication difficulties. The department has skilled professionals who assist in overcoming challenges related to speech, language, and basic communication skills.

Among children, conditions may include
  • Delay in acquisition of speech and language
  • Unclear or unintelligible speech
  • Fluency-related issues (e.g., primary hesitancy, stammering)
  • Children with special needs (e.g., hearing impairment, autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays)
  • Children with neurological conditions
  • Children with learning differences
  • Children with cleft lip and/or palate
  • Voice-related issues
Our Team of Audiology and Speech Therapy Specialties:

Dr. Vandana Joshi

Education: M.S. (E.N.T)

Specialties: ENT

OPD Timing: Wed - 10.30 am to 01.00 pm

Dr. Amol Deshpande

Education: M.S (ENT)

Specialties: ENT

OPD Timing: Mon – 10.30 am to 01.00 pm

Dr. Poorva Lunawat

Education: MBBS, DORL, DNB(Otorhinolaryngolgy)

Specialties: ENT

OPD Timing: Thurs – 10.30 am to 01.00 pm
FAQ
1) Does earwax affect the hearing test?
If you have impacted earwax or a blockage then your audiologist might not be able to perform the hearing test efficiently.
2) How do you prepare for a hearing test?
Please consult with your doctor if any pre-requisites are required.
3) What is involved in a hearing test?
A hearing test is performed in a soundproof room. You will have to wear earplugs connected to a device that sends sounds of different volumes and pitches to one ear at a time.

Audiology and Speech Therapy in Pune

Poona Hospital & Research Centre provides audiology and speech therapy services for individuals experiencing hearing, speech, language and communication difficulties. The department supports hearing evaluation, diagnostic assessment and speech-language care through trained healthcare professionals.

Audiology Hospital in Pune

Audiology services at Poona Hospital include comprehensive hearing evaluation to identify whether hearing loss is present, the frequencies affected, the severity and the type of hearing loss. The evaluation may include age-appropriate and clinically indicated hearing tests.

Hearing Tests and Hearing Assessment in Pune

Poona Hospital provides a range of audiological assessments including play audiometry, pure tone audiometry, immittance audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex audiometry, Eustachian tube function testing, Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR/BERA) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE).

BERA and OAE Hearing Tests in Pune

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) can be used as a hearing screening tool for newborns and young children who may not be able to cooperate with conventional hearing tests. BERA is an objective test that records electrical activity related to the auditory pathway and can support newborn hearing screening, auditory threshold estimation and assessment of selected hearing-related conditions.

Pure Tone Audiometry and Tympanometry in Pune

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) assesses hearing sensitivity and provides information about the degree and type of hearing loss. Tympanometry evaluates middle-ear function and provides information about eardrum movement, middle-ear status and related hearing findings.

Speech Therapy in Pune

The Speech Therapy Department at Poona Hospital supports individuals experiencing communication difficulties, including challenges related to speech, language and basic communication skills. Speech-language support may be relevant for children with developmental, neurological, hearing-related or structural communication conditions.

Paediatric Speech and Communication Therapy

Children may require speech and language support for delayed speech and language acquisition, unclear speech, fluency difficulties such as stammering, hearing impairment, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, neurological conditions, learning differences, cleft lip or palate and voice-related issues. Assessment and therapy should be planned according to the child's individual needs.

Hearing Aid Guidance

Following hearing evaluation, the audiologist may provide recommendations regarding suitable hearing aid options based on the patient's hearing profile and clinical requirements.

ENT and Audiology Support at Poona Hospital

The Audiology and Speech Therapy service works alongside the hospital's ENT and other relevant clinical services when specialist evaluation or multidisciplinary care is required. Patients can be directed to the appropriate specialist based on their symptoms and assessment findings.

Why Choose Poona Hospital for Audiology and Speech Therapy?

  • Dedicated Audiology and Speech Therapy services.
  • Multiple hearing assessment and diagnostic testing options.
  • Services for newborns, children and adults as clinically appropriate.
  • Speech and communication support for a range of developmental and acquired conditions.
  • Access to ENT and other hospital specialties when multidisciplinary assessment is required.