AIISHs Hearing Horizons brings together hearing care professionals

The All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, in association with the Mysuru chapter of the Indian Speech-Language and Hearing Association (MyISHA), organised ‘Hearing Horizons 2025’, a two-day Rehabilitation Council of India-approved national conference, on December 20 and 21 on its premises.

Around 200 professionals and 150 students and audiologists from various parts of the country attended the conference, which featured lectures, manufacturer-led technical sessions, hands-on master class training, a recruitment drive, focus group discussions, and multiple parallel sessions addressing issues in hearing healthcare.

Dr. Kalyani Mandke, one of India’s earliest private practitioners in audiology, who was the chief guest, highlighted the evolution of hearing care practice in India and the need for evidence-based and ethical clinical services.

Dr. B. Mohammed Asheel from the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasised the crucial role of hearing in effective communication and highlighted that hearing aids are essential across the lifespan, supporting speech and language development in children and social participation in adults and older persons.

Dr. M Puspavathi, director, AIISH, emphasised that hearing aid fitting alone does not conclude intervention, particularly in children. She highlighted the importance of post-fitting speech-language therapy for developing effective speech, language, and academic skills while underscoring the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to hearing care.

The organisers of the conference, Dr. M. Sandeep and Dr. N. Devi, highlighted that the primary objective of Hearing Horizons 2025 was to bridge the gap between academic institutions and private practitioners.

The conference brought national attention to the increasing burden of hearing loss in India, which affects individuals of all age groups and often remains undetected or untreated. Untreated hearing loss can significantly impact communication abilities, academic achievement, employment opportunities, mental health, and overall quality of life, according to AIISH.

Participants also deliberated on the evolving role of the audiology profession in India, particularly in reaching underserved communities through outreach services and ethical clinical practice. The potential application of AI in hearing care, including hearing aid programming, and follow-up services was discussed.