Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Mumbai, successfully organized the 1st International Conference on “Recent Advancements in Audiological Assessment Protocols” in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The conference was accredited with Continuing Rehabilitation Education status by the Rehabilitation Council of India. The conference was held on the 2^nd and 3^rd August 2025 at Prof. S. Parasuraman Conference Hall, TISS Main Campus, Mumbai.

Shri Narendra Mishra, Registrar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), graced the inaugural programme as the Chief Guest. The session was also attended by other dignitaries, including Dr. Suman Kumar, Director, AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai, Dr. Vaishali Kolhe, Associate Professor, TISS, Dr. Shivraj Bhimte, Reader in Audiology, AYJNISHD(D); and Dr. Nilesh Washnik, Associate Professor, Ohio University.

 

    

  

Following the inaugural programme, a lecture on “Ethics in Audiology” was delivered by Dr. Muthukrishnan Nachiappan, who offered valuable insights into the ethical considerations and professional responsibilities within audiological practice. Dr. Suman Kumar presented an overview of the vision, mission, and key activities of AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Vaishali Kolhe, who introduced the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and highlighted its significant contributions to disability studies and social action. The session was moderated by Dr. R. Rangasayee, Former Director, AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai.

Dr. Nilesh Washnik delivered two insightful talks titled “Demystifying Hidden Hearing Loss: Etiologies, Current Knowledge, and Future Directions” and “Audition and Cognition: Exploring Cognitive Screening Tools for Audiologists.” Dr. Radhika Aravamudhan from Drexel University presented her work on “Auditory Processing Disorders: Interprofessional Approach to Diagnosis and Management.” Dr. Ishan Bhat from the University of Iowa spoke on “A Phenome-Wide Comorbidity Atlas of Age-Related Hearing Loss, Speech-in-Noise Deficits, and Tinnitus: Distinguishing Causal Signals from Correlation.”

Mr. Prem Ranjan, Electroacoustic Stimulation Scientist at MED-EL, Austria, shared his insights on the “Role of Audiologists in Hearing Preservation Cochlear Implant Surgery.” Dr. Smita Agrawal, Research Scientist and Hearing Healthcare Specialist from California, delivered a talk on the “Application of Objective Measures in Cochlear Implant Management.” Dr. Sanyukta Jaiswal from Gallaudet University spoke on “Auditory Verbal Therapy and Beyond: Aural Rehabilitation in the ICF Era,” and Dr. Shivraj Bhimte presented on “Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Audiological Evaluation Practices.”

These enriching sessions were expertly moderated by Dr. Smita Agrawal, Dr. Nilesh Washnik, and Dr. Suman Kumar. The conference was attended by over 100 participants from various states across India and abroad.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 63 million individuals in India suffer from significant auditory loss, with around 7% of the population experiencing some form of hearing disability. With advancements in technology, hearing loss can now be detected as early as 48 hours after birth. The globally recommended "1-2-3 approach" advocates for screening by 1 month, diagnosis by 2 months, and initiation of intervention by 3 months of age. While India is making efforts to align with these international benchmarks, the implementation of universal newborn hearing screening remains an urgent need. Globally, hearing disorders are on the rise due to increasing noise pollution, lifestyle-related auditory stress and an aging population. Timely assessment is crucial, particularly for children, as early intervention plays a vital role in speech and language development. However, hearing loss often goes undetected for years, resulting in social withdrawal, academic difficulties and a diminished quality of life. In this context, the conference brought together leading experts from around the world to deliberate on recent advancements and best practices in the field of audiology.

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NikitaJoshi/DineshYadav

Source: AYJNISHD(D), Mumbai.

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(Release ID: 2152038)