Challenges and opportunities for speech and hearing programs: Covid-19 and beyond

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional teaching-learning programs across all educational disciplines. The Speech and Hearing training program is no exception. It has provided many opportunities to incorporate online learning in the curriculum and upskilling and reskilling of new technologies. The pandemic has made us think differently. This will be a golden opportunity to have brainstorming discussions with all the stakeholders to discuss their expectations and aspirations towards professional courses like Speech and Hearing programs. This is an opinion piece; Covid-19 and various restrictions have impacted the Speech and Hearing profession, especially training programs. This article intends to initiate a dialogue among professionals that will hopefully enable us to define a strategic roadmap for the recovery of Speech and Hearing services and human resources as we emerge from the pandemic. The pandemic has given new directions towards the delivery of the education model. Various programs have received significant experience about what is doable and not doable modules in the academic program. This is a golden opportunity for all to move away from the traditional educational model and develop a flexible and student-oriented educational program. Are we ready for these challenges?