Prevalence of hearing loss in India

Background. Despite abundant literature, a clear and coherent understanding of hearing loss (HL) in India is limited by the wide disparity in studies. Methods. We did a review of published peer-reviewed journal articles. Studies reporting the prevalence and degree of HL in India from 1980 to 2020 were included. Information was gathered on the population characteristics, methodology applied and the prevalence of hearing impairment. The data were analysed to identify trends and at-risk sections of population in various categories. Results. Four hundred and forty studies were identified after a database search; 29 full-length articles were selected for final analysis. Using a 3-step screening protocol, hearing impairment (abnormal auditory brainstem response/auditory steady state response) in neonates ranged between 1.59 and 8.8 per 1000 births. Among 'at risk' neonates, it ranged from 7 to 49.18 per 1000 births. In children the prevalence of HL was 6.6% to 16.47%. Otitis media was the most common cause of HL in children. Community-based studies (all ages) reported prevalence of HL between 6% and 26.9% and prevalence of disabling HL between 4.5% and 18.3%. Rural areas and elderly showed a higher prevalence of hearing impairment. Conclusion. Despite India's improving health indices, hearing disability remains persistently high. It is a major contributor to the loss of personal potential and a financial strain for the individual and the country. A large-scale multicentric study to identify the degree and type of HL, social awareness campaigns, widespread neonatal screening, strengthening treatment facilities and well-funded rehabilitation programmes can counter the rising prevalence of hearing impairment.