The Silent Struggle: Community Awareness and Attitudes on Hearing Impairment

Introduction: Hearing loss affects over 430 million people globally, and in India, this accounts for 19% of all reported disabilities. Despite available treatments, outcomes remain suboptimal due to late detection, lack of awareness, and limited access to rehabilitation services. Community attitudes play a vital role in early identification and intervention. This pilot study evaluates community awareness and attitudes toward hearing loss to guide the development of an educational module aimed at improving early intervention outcomes. Materials and Methods: The study included 1000 participants from an urban slum – 400 mothers of infants, 25 Anganwadi workers, and 575 community elders. A validated 19-item questionnaire was adapted and translated into Marathi. Responses were recorded using a three-point Likert scale and analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: The study revealed that there is a moderate awareness of causes of hearing loss, such as ear discharge (62%) and congenital factors (45%), but significant gaps existed regarding risk factors such as meningitis, convulsions, and neonatal jaundice. While 58% were aware that hearing loss is treatable; however, knowledge about cochlear implants was limited. Only 18% of participants accepted hearing aid use in infants, and 74% opposed cochlear implants. However, 85.9% showed concern and willingness to learn about hearing loss, suggesting a potential for change through educational interventions. Conclusion: This study highlights critical gaps in community knowledge and attitudes toward hearing loss, particularly regarding early rehabilitation. The findings will help in the development of an educational module, forming part of an interprofessional strategy to improve hearing outcomes following early intervention.