An Indian-American associate professor at Lamar University in Texas has been named to the 2016 class of the ‘Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology’ by the American Academy of Audiology.

• Vinaya Manchaiah is one of only a dozen individuals selected nationwide for the honour.
• Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders.
• Originally from South India, Manchaiah holds a PhD in disability research from Linkoping University, Sweden.
• He also holds a number of degrees including an MBA from Swansea University, United Kingdom, Doctor of Audiology from Nova Southeastern University, MS in Audiology from the University of Southampton and a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore, India.
• Manchaiah is also the co-founder and director for strategic planning for the non-profit non-governmental organisation Audiology India, for which he served as president from 2011 to 2015.
• The organisation seeks to foster ear and hearing health care in India.
• The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organisation of audiologists.
• The members look to provide hearing care services through education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.