The department provides the following services.
1. Speech and Language Evaluations
2. Speech and Language Therapy
1. Swallowing Diagnostics
2. Swallowing Therapy
1. Objective Voice Assessment
2. Dr. Speech
3. Voice Therapy
Vestibular Evaluation
1. Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)
Products and Services:
I. Pure Tone Audiometry
Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the key hearing test used to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual, enabling determination of the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss. This thus provides the basis for diagnosis and management. PTA is a subjective, behavioural measurement of hearing threshold, as it relies on patient response to pure tone stimuli.
II. Impedance Audiometry
The primary purpose of impedance audiometry is to determine the status of the tympanic membrane and middle ear via tympanometry. The secondary purpose of this test is to evaluate acoustic reflex pathways, which include cranial nerves (CN) VII and VIII and the auditory brainstem.
III. Speech Audiometry
Speech audiometry has become a fundamental tool in hearing-loss assessment. In conjunction with pure-tone audiometry, it can aid in determining the degree and type of hearing loss. Speech audiometry also provides information regarding discomfort or tolerance to speech stimuli and information on word recognition abilities.
In addition, information gained by speech audiometry can help determine proper gain and maximum output of hearing aids and other amplifying devices for patients with significant hearing losses and help assess how well they hear in noise. Speech audiometry also facilitates audiological rehabilitation management.
IV. Newborn Hearing Screening
Hearing health begins with screening for hearing loss at birth.Two types of objective test technologies are used to screen for hearing loss in newborns: otoacoustic emissions and the auditory brainstem response (sometimes called ABR test or BAER test). These screening tests can detect 80-90% of infants with moderate degrees of hearing loss and greater. However, children with mild hearing loss may pass newborn hearing screening. Early identification and intervention can prevent severe psychosocial, educational, and linguistic repercussions. Infants who are not identified before 6 months of age have delays in speech and language development. Intervention at or before 6 months of age allows a child with impaired hearing to develop normal speech and language, alongside his or her hearing peers.
V. Oto Acoustic Emission
The primary purpose of otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests is to determine cochlear status, specifically hair cell function. This information can be used to (1) screen hearing (particularly in neonates, infants, or individuals with developmental disabilities), (2) partially estimate hearing sensitivity within a limited range, (3) differentiate between the sensory and neural components of sensorineural hearing loss, and (4) test for functional (feigned) hearing loss. The information can be obtained from patients who are sleeping or even comatose because no behavioral response is required.
VI. Auditory Brainstem Response
It is a screening test to monitor for hearing loss or deafness, especially notable for its use with newborn infants. It is a method employed to assess the functions of the ears, cranial nerves, and various brain functions of the lower part of the auditory system, prior to the child developing to the point of describing a possible hearing problem. The procedure is to generate a brief click or tone pip from an earphone or headphone and measuring the elicited neuronal action potentials by surface electrodes, typically placed at the vertex of the scalp and ear lobes.
VII. Auditory Steady State Response
Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) measurements are currently used for reliable hearing threshold estimation at audiometric frequencies. Especially, newborns with hearing problems benefit from this technique, as with this information, diagnosis can be better specified and hearing aids can be better fitted at an early age.
VIII. Hearing Aid Trial
A hearing aid is an electroacoustic device which is designed to amplify sound for a hearing impaired person with the aim of making speech more intelligible, and to correct impaired hearing . Hearing aid trial is a scientific procedure by which a hearing aid is selected for a hearing impaired person, using both subjective and objective measures.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and language therapy is concerned with the management of disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing in children and adults. The approach used depends on the disorder. It may include physical exercises to strengthen the muscles used in speech (oral-motor work), speech drills to improve clarity, or sound production practice to improve articulation.
Treatments are provided for the following disorders
a. Hearing loss
b. Speech and language delay
c. Autism
d. ADHD
e. Mental retardation
f. Mis-articulation
g. Stuttering
h. Cerebral palsy
i. Voice disorders
j. Aphasia
k. Cleft Lip and Palate
l. Learning difficulties
m. Swallowing difficulties
Speech and language Therapy sessions at Pratiksha include 5 sessions a week with duration of 1 hour per session.
Cochlear Implant
A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.
At Pratiksha , Auditory Verbal Therapy is provided to children with cochlear implants. The therapeutic sessions include five sessions a week with duration of 1 hour per session.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential
The vestibular evoked myogenic potential is a neurophysiological assessment technique used to determine the function of the otolithic organs (utricle and saccule) of the inner ear. It complements the information provided by caloric testing and other forms of inner ear (vestibular apparatus) testing.