Despite BASLP courses’ 100% placement record, India needs 10 times the number of audiologists it has

Every year, India produces just one-tenth of the audiologists it needs.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 63 million Indians suffer from significant auditory impairment. But, according to the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), only 2,500 students are graduating with a Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) degree every year. There’s a massive gap between requirement and supply.

According to experts, it is one of the emerging allied health science courses, with growing demand in government healthcare, increased awareness about communication disorders, and also increasing need in rural areas.

The universities which run these courses – most of them private – say the course has so far achieved 100% placement but needs better promotion so that school students understand the opportunities and growth it offers.

An estimate by the US department of labour shows that from 2016 to 2026, there will be a 21% rise in the demand for audiologists' services and an 18% growth in demand for speech-language pathologists' services, globally.

Even the National Medical Journal of India states that by 2050, 19% of India’s population will be over 60 years old, increasing the need for services addressing age-related ailments like hearing loss and mobility challenges.

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BASLP courses: Growth

It is a four-year course regulated by the RCI and it is open to students who have passed Class 12 by securing a minimum of 50% marks. The only criterion is that the students should have studied at least two science subjects. The course also includes a 10-month internship.

“The BASLP programme remains relatively niche in India when compared to mainstream medical and paramedical courses. Nonetheless, interest in the field is gradually increasing due to a heightened focus on early childhood intervention, hearing rehabilitation, and assistive technologies, especially in metropolitan and tier-2 cities,” said Vivek Kumar Jha, professor and head, department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, Haryana. The university launched the course in the 2019-2020 session.

Although the first such course was launched in 1965, at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysore, its growth has been slow.

“There is a large shortage of ASLP specialists in India, and this gap is expected to persist for years. The field is gradually gaining importance in the public, growing demand in government healthcare sectors, and increased awareness about communication disorders, especially conditions like autism and hearing loss. Technological advancements, such as telepractice and assistive communication tools, along with global career opportunities, are further contributing to its slow but steady rise in prominence,” said Usha Devadas, additional professor and head of the department of speech and hearing at the Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

At Manipal, the BASLP programme was established in 1992 with an initial intake of 10 students. Over the years, the student intake has gradually increased, and the current strength stands at 40 students.

The university also started the master’s course in 2002 with an intake of 23 students. In 2018, this programme was split into two specialised courses – MSc in Audiology and MSc in Speech-Language Pathology.

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Amity University, Haryana, launched the course in 2014 with an approved intake of 25. In the first two batches, only five students were enrolled. From 2017 onwards, the university was able to admit 25 students in each batch. In 2022, the university started a postgraduate programme as well.

By May 2025, the RCI listed 84 institutions in the country offering this course; Karnataka has the highest number – 18.

BASLP courses draws more women

“The ASLP courses in India are predominantly opted for by women. This trend is consistent across many institutions offering BASLP and MASLP programmes. However, there is a slow but noticeable rise in male enrolment, especially as awareness of the field’s scientific rigour, job stability, and global mobility,” said Devadas.

She added that audiology – with its close link to technology, such as diagnostics and hearing aids – the gender balance is healthier, compared to speech-language pathology.

Jha explained the reason for the course being more popular with women.

“The BASLP course, like many programmes in allied health sciences, is predominantly chosen by women. This reflects a global pattern, as speech-language pathology is often perceived as a nurturing and communication-centric profession,” said Jha.

At Amity University, the ratio of women-to- men is 3:2.

BASLP: Career prospects

BASLP professionals have varied career options open to them.

These can include the following job roles and locations:

• Audiologists in hospitals and clinics in ENT, paediatrics or neurology department

• Speech therapists

• Special educators

• Rehabilitation centers

• Hearing aid companies (for product fitting, sales, and research)

• Non-profits working with people with disabilities and special needs

“Besides, some of the leading entrepreneurs in the field of Audiology and Speech pathology are ASLP graduates as well,” Vijay Kumar, head of the department of audiology and speech-language pathology at Amity University, Haryana, pointed out. “There is also a very high rate of migration of ASLP professionals to outside India, as there is rapid increase in demand owing to lifestyle changes. This creates an opportunity for the young graduates to excel in various capacities.”

Further, a report by Global Insight Services, a US based market research firm, stated, “Speech Therapy Market is anticipated to expand from $5.4 billion in 2024 to $9.2 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of approximately 5.5%.”

It also opens avenues for further studies in other fields as well.

“Students can do a masters in audiology and speech language pathology or a doctoral program (PhD) or clinical fellowships. They can opt for an MBA in hospital administration and/or take up international certifications, such as CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology) in the USA, HCPC (Health and Care Professional Council) registration in the UK,” said Jha.

The other master’s programme for those interested in pursuing higher education could be:

• MSc in Cognitive Neurosciences

• PG Diploma in Neurorehabilitation or Pediatric Rehabilitation

• Master of Public Health

• Diploma in Health Communication or Disability Studies

• Master in Psychology or Clinical Psychology

This list is not exhaustive.

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Jobs and salaries

The entry-level salary packages typically range from Rs. 5-7 lakh per annum. The fees for the course ranges between Rs. 91,000 and Rs. 2 lakh for a year.

At SGT University, prominent recruiters and collaborators for BASLP graduates include hospitals like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Max Healthcare, Medanta. Beyond these, hearing aid manufacturers like Starkey, Cochlear, Oticon, Widex, and many tele-therapy startups and digital health platforms, hire graduates.

“The department of ASLP [has maintained] a 100% placement record since inception,” said Kumar. “Almost all students get more than two-three job options before the completion of final internship. Many students are achieving international placement as well. Samiksha Gaur, BASLP 2017-21, has been placed at University of Kansas, USA; after master’s she has completed her clinical certification and now she is working independently. There are many such stories.”

Audiology Courses: Need for awareness

Even with the growth in interest, universities say the course needs more effective promotion and wider acceptance.

A study published in the International Journal of Science and Engineering Development Research (IJSDR) in 2022 – titled, “Awareness of BASLP as a career option among higher secondary students in Kerala” – showed that 25% of students were unaware of it and only 22.5% students knew that it was a programme offered under allied health sciences.

“Since a student's higher secondary years are crucial for determining their future, it is crucial to host seminars and speeches on the programme by experts in the field about their experiences in order to motivate the students. Parents should be included in these sessions as well as their awareness is also essential. Since the majority of students are ignorant of the institutions in India offering the programme, knowledge of the examination process and ways to access the various institutes is also crucial,” wrote the researchers, Alitta Tom, Satish Kumaraswamy and Amala P Binoe.

However, the course is not mentioned in the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act 2021.

Devadas added that a multifaceted strategy, targeting awareness, visibility, and careers, is essential. “This can be achieved through awareness campaigns in schools and pre-university colleges. Make use of social media and share success stories, job outcomes, and case studies,” she said.

Jha believes that increasing government scholarships and financial aid for aspiring students and integrating the programme into national admission pathways, like the NEET or CUET exams, will also help.