MAA Institute of Speech and Hearing

Mrs.Sunitha G Kumar

Founder Chairperson, MAA Institute of Speech & Hearing

Mrs. Sunita G. Kumar is a distinguished philanthropist, humanitarian, and visionary leader serving as Chairperson and Managing Director of MAA Research Foundation, Hyderabad, and Founder Chairperson of MAA Institute of Speech & Hearing. She has dedicated her career to advancing hearing healthcare, speech rehabilitation, education, and social inclusion for individuals with hearing and communication challenges.

Her journey began with the establishment of MAA ENT Hospital in 1999, and over the years her vision expanded into a broader mission of accessible, affordable, and high-quality hearing healthcare. Through MAA Research Foundation, she has led initiatives focused on awareness, prevention, early identification, treatment, rehabilitation, and empowerment, with a strong commitment to serving underserved communities.

Through her flagship Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation program, more than 700 children with hearing impairment have been empowered to hear, communicate, and lead lives marked by dignity, confidence and opportunity.

In 2019, she took a significant step forward in her commitment to hearing well-being by establishing the MAA Institute of Speech & Hearing to address the growing need for skilled professionals in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The institution is dedicated to producing top-notch Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in India, with a focus on academic excellence, clinical training, and compassionate care.

Under her able guidance, the institution continues to expand its academic horizons with postgraduate programs in MSc (Audiology) and Post Graduate Diploma in Early Intervention (PGDEI), with future plans of starting MSc (Speech Language Pathology), along with doctoral programs in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology.

She strongly believes in bridging the gap between advanced medical technologies and community-based care. Her leadership has supported rural outreach programs, school screening initiatives, cochlear implant support, and rehabilitation services for economically disadvantaged patients, helping reduce stigma and improve access to care across India.

She is known for her values-driven leadership, rooted in humanity, integrity, humility, discipline, and service. Through her work, Mrs. Sunita G. Kumar continues to inspire teams, healthcare professionals, and communities with her mission to create an inclusive society where every individual with hearing or communication difficulties can live with dignity, confidence, and opportunity.

Dr. Aparna Ravichandran

Professor & Principal, MISH

Dr. Aparna Ravichandran is Professor and Principal at MISH, where she leads both academic and administrative functions. She is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, with expertise across a wide range of subjects in audiology.

She holds an M.Sc. in ASLP and an interdisciplinary Ph.D., along with an M.Sc. in Psychology, an MBA in HRM, an M.A. in Linguistics, and a PG Diploma in Applied Linguistics.

She has over 25 years of experience teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has served as Lecturer, Reader, Head of Department, and Officer-in-charge Principal at Sweekaar Institute of Speech and Hearing, and as Lecturer at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Secunderabad.

She is a member of the Board of Studies (ASLP) at Osmania University and has served on examination boards for ASLP programmes at Bangalore University, Sri Padmavathi Mahila University, Sri Ramachandra University, MUHS, Jaipur University, and others.

She has guided more than 60 master's research dissertations and received the Muktesh Award for best paper on hearing aids at ISHACON. She believes in the holistic development of students and serving the community with compassion and excellence.

Dr. Aparna Ravichandran
Professor & Principal, MISH