Prevalence of Hearing Impairments in Neonates in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background & Aims: Hearing impairment in neonates is one of the most significant public health challenges that can lead to substantial consequences, including delayed language and cognitive development and a reduced quality of life.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing impairments in neonates in Iran using a systematic review and meta-analysis.Materials & Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, and Magiran databases were systematically searched until January 2025.A hand search was also conducted in relevant review articles and key study sources.The language of the studies was limited to Persian and English.Risk of bias in the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist.Data analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 software.Results: A total of 26 studies, including 341,944 neonates, were selected and included in the study.The results of the meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of hearing impairment and hearing loss in neonates was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004-0.01,p < 0.05) and 2% (95% CI: 0.007-0.08,p < 0.05), respectively.The prevalence of hearing impairment in male and female neonates was 5% (95% CI: 0.02-0.12,p < 0.05) and 3% (95% CI: 0.01-0.08,p < 0.05), respectively.Publication bias was observed in the study (p < 0.05). Conclusion:The findings of the present study demonstrate that hearing impairment in neonates is a serious health problem in Iran that requires immediate attention and intervention.Preventive and diagnostic measures should be prioritized to help improve the hearing status of neonates and prevent its negative consequences on their development.