India is a highly populated country and over 60 million people are in need of speech, language and hearing services, for which there are only about 1000 professionals.  Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists are independent professionals and are amongst the most sought after professionals. There is a global shortage of these professionals. Student, who graduate from this course are qualified to be appointed as Audiologists, Speech and Language Pathologists in various disciplines. They are uniquely placed to fulfil a growing demand from various walks of life.  They are the authority in diagnosing and managing problems related to communication and Hearing Disorders. The field of Communication Sciences and Disorders is made up of Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Speech, Language and Hearing scientists. With the advent of Cochlear Implants the role of the audiologists and speech and language pathologists has become even more important.

Speech-Language pathologists are professionals concerned with evaluation, treatment, prevention and research in human communication and its disorders. They treat, manage speech and language disorders and work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They diagnose and evaluate speech problems such as fluency (e.g., stuttering), articulation and voice disorders; language problems such as aphasia; and delayed language and related disorders such as dysphagia (e.g., swallowing difficulties). They design and carry out comprehensive treatment plans to achieve the following:

Audiologists are autonomous professionals who identify, assess and manage disorders of the auditory, balance and other related neural systems. Audiologists provide audiological (aural) rehabilitation to children and adults. Audiologists select, fit and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. Audiologists help in preventation of hearing loss through the provision and fitting of hearing protective devices, consultation on the effects of noise on hearing, and consumer education. Audiologists are involved in auditory and related research pertinent to the prevention, identification and management of hearing loss; tinnitus; and balance system dysfunction. Audiologists serve as expert witnesses in litigation related to their areas of expertise.

Their services and activities are as follows:

Speech, language and hearing scientists are professionals concerned with exploring trends in communication sciences and disorders, as well as developing strategies for improving or adding to the knowledge base within the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. These scientists provide the foundation on which clinicians base their practice methodology. Research scientists:

Salaries of speech-language pathologist and audiologists depend on their educational background, specialty and experience, along with the geographical location and type of setting in which they work.