Merfish - Department and Faciliteis


			WWW MERFISH.ORG

The audiology department at MERF is well equipped and has got very good facilities to perform various audiological evaluations. Our set up holds special sound treated rooms with automated audiometry, impedance and Oto acoustic emissions for behavioral and physiological testing.

Electro physiological measurements such as Brain stem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA), Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), and Electrocochleography are performed.

Vestibular assessment procedures such as Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP), VOG are also performed. In addition to these rehabilitative services such as hearing aid trail, fitting, programming and optimization of hearing aids are provided for the clients.

Cochlear mapping is performed for those individuals who has undergone cochlear implantation surgery.

Tinnitus Clinic: Offers assessment, counseling and tinnitus retraining therapy for the sufferers. The purpose of this clinic is to reduce stress caused by tinnitus and enhance the quality of life.

Implant Audiology

This department deals with the pre Cochlear Implant assessment for Cochlear Implant candidacy and post Cochlear Implant management. The task of the department also involves fine tuning the processor for the necessary auditory outcomes. There is close interaction and cooperation between this department and the auditory habilitation centre to ensure the success of the Cochlear Implant programme.

Speech and Language Pathology

Speech Diagnostics & Therapeutics

MERF Institute of speech and hearing is rendering services for individuals with speech and language difficulties. The speech and language clinic offers speech-language pathology services for all ages with communication difficulty. We work throughout the week from Monday to Saturday from 8.30a.m to 4.30p.m. The clinic provides diagnostics and therapeutic services for these individuals. During the initial visit an in-depth speech and language assessment is carried out. Once the diagnostic assessment is completed, patient will be enrolled for therapeutic program on appointment basis. We are equipped with the most advanced state-of- art testing equipment and sophisticated software to provide customized treatment to every patient. We offer individual and group speech and language therapy.
Speech and language clinic also runs special clinic for specific speech and language problems, such as;

	Fluency enhancement clinic
	Voice care clinic
	Down syndrome clinic
	PDD Clinic

Future special clinics: Memory clinic (for dementia population)

Special Clinics

Voice Care Clinic

The voice care clinic at Madras ENT Research Foundation is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal and voice disorders. The goal of the voice care clinic is to understand the voice and improve its quality and care. The voice care clinic has a state-of-art voice lab for computerized acoustic analysis. The voice evaluation typically includes perceptual, acoustic and/ or aerodynamic testing as well as voice hygiene counseling. Treatment options are tailored to the individual patient needs to correct vocal misuse and overuse behaviors. Services are available across different age groups. The clinic functions through out the week from Monday to Saturday between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Services offered:

Following services are offered:

	Voice Evaluation
	Voice therapy
	Counseling on Vocal hygiene tips
	Voice care for professional voice users (Singer, Teachers, etc.,)
	Voice awareness campaigns/ programs

Future Work:

Workshop on awareness of voice problems in radio jockey.

Fluency Clinic

Merf institute of speech and hearing is running a special clinic for individuals (children/Adult) with fluency disorders. The clinic functions through out the week from Monday to Saturday between 8.30 am-4.30 pm. Fluency disorders such as

	Stuttering
	Cluttering
	Neurogenic stuttering

Are assessed and the diagnosis, severity of the problem is analyzed. Subsequent therapy protocols are framed based upon the clients diagnosis.

Services offered:

Following services are offered in the MERF institute of speech and hearing such as

	Stuttering Evaluation
	Stuttering therapy
	Counseling
	Stuttering self support group
	Stuttering awareness campaigns/ programs

All the clients are assessed by a speech language pathologist in one to one sessions and all consultations are done on appointment basis.

Down's Syndrome Clinic

MERF institute of speech and hearing has a variety of special clinics. One of them is specialized for children with Down’s syndrome. This clinic is open from Monday through Saturday from eight thirty A.M. to four thirty P.M. The clinic consists of specialized protocol, which every child with Down’s syndrome would undergo. These include

	Detailed speech language assessment
	Verbal praxis assessment
	Oromotor skills assessment
	Speech language therapy
	Group Speech and Language therapy

In addition, MERF-ISH offers services like occupational therapy, psychological evaluation. Under this umbrella, every child with Down’s syndrome would be receiving individualized attention and tailor made treatment program. Regular follow ups are done and progress monitored.

Auditory Habilitation Department