Children’s Day Special: Why Every Child Deserves a Hearing Test

How Big Is the Problem? Global Numbers at a Glance

Let’s start with the data:

• More than 34 million children worldwide are living with deafness or hearing loss.
• A 2024 global analysis estimated that around 97.8 million children and adolescents under 20 have some degree of hearing loss (not just “disabling” loss).
• In newborns, congenital hearing loss affects roughly 1–2 out of every 1,000 babies globally; some studies report a range of 1–3 per 1,000 live births.

That means in a typical big maternity hospital, every week or two a baby is born with significant hearing loss — but whether that baby is detected early depends entirely on where they are born.

The India Snapshot

• Indian studies show hearing impairment in neonates between 1.6 and 8.8 per 1,000 births, and 6.6–16.5% prevalence in school-going children, often due to infections like otitis media.
• National programme data suggest that a large fraction of India’s 63 million people with significant hearing loss are children aged 0–14 years.

On Children’s Day, this isn’t just “another statistic” – it’s a reminder that hearing loss in children is common, but often invisible.

Born With Hearing Loss: What Happens in the First 1,000 Days?

Most permanent childhood hearing loss is present from birth or early infancy.

• Large population studies show congenital hearing loss around 1.3–1.6 per 1,000 newborns, including both bilateral and unilateral loss.
• Among “high-risk” newborns (NICU babies, very low birth weight, infections), prevalence can jump to 2–5%.

The science is clear:

If hearing loss is diagnosed before 3 months and intervention starts early, a child’s speech and language can be very close to that of normal-hearing peers.

That is why universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) is considered a global gold standard today.

How Are Children Tested for Hearing Loss?

Parents often imagine a complicated or painful procedure. In reality, modern tests are quick, safe and child-friendly.

1. Newborn stage (0–6 months)

These tests are done while the baby is sleeping:

• OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions)

A tiny probe in the ear canal plays soft sounds and records the echo from the inner ear. If the echo is absent, it may indicate hearing loss.

• ABR / AABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

Small electrodes on the baby’s head measure the brain’s response to sound clicks.

Both are non-invasive, painless and take just a few minutes.

2. Infant & toddler stage (6 months – 3 years)

• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) – child turns toward sound and sees a toy or light.
• Tympanometry – checks middle-ear function using gentle pressure changes.

3. Preschool and school age

• Conditioned Play Audiometry – child performs a simple game when they hear a sound.
• Pure-Tone Audiometry – older children press a button when they hear beeps.

Once hearing loss is confirmed, interventions may include:

• Digital hearing aids
• Cochlear implants (when hearing aids aren’t enough)
• Speech-language therapy & auditory verbal therapy

Early fitting of hearing aids or implants is strongly linked to better speech, reading and school outcomes.

The Awareness & Screening Gap: Where We Are Falling Behind

Even though technology exists, many children are still diagnosed too late.

Global screening coverage is uneven

• Only 41 countries have UNHS coverage above 85%.
• At least 64 countries have coverage below 1%.
• Around 38% of the world’s population has no or minimal newborn/infant hearing screening.

In simple terms: Where a child is born decides whether their hearing loss is detected early or missed for years.

Late diagnosis is still common

• In a large multi-country study, <4% of children were diagnosed before 3 months.
• In India, the average age of identification is 1.5–4 years.
• A 2025 study reports median diagnosis age at 26 months for bilateral hearing loss, and 63 months for unilateral.

By the time parents notice that “the child is not talking like others,” precious time is already lost.

Why Is Awareness So Low?

Several barriers keep children from getting a simple hearing test:

1. “My child responds to loud sounds, so hearing is fine.”
   Moderate or unilateral losses often go unnoticed.
2. Confusion with speech delay or behaviour issues
   Hearing loss is often mistaken for stubbornness or autism-like symptoms.
3. Limited newborn screening infrastructure
   Only about 38% of Indian medical colleges have screening programs.
4. Cost & access challenges
   Paediatric audiology services are limited in smaller cities and LMICs.
5. Stigma and fear
   Parents fear labels, even though 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable.

The Good News: Trends Are Improving

• More countries are adopting UNHS as standard of care.
• China increased coverage from ~30% to 85% within a decade.
• Digital hearing aids, wireless accessories and tele-audiology are expanding access.

The curve is improving — but only if awareness continues to grow.

Children’s Day Call to Action: “One Test Can Change a Childhood”

You don’t need to memorise all the statistics. Just remember these:

1. If you have a newborn or infant:

• Ask: “Has my baby had a hearing screening?”
• If not, schedule one immediately.

2. If your child is 1–5 years old:

Consider testing if you notice:

• Delayed speech
• Not responding to name
• High TV volume
• Difficulty following instructions

3. If you’re a teacher or caregiver:

Flag children who seem inattentive — sometimes it’s hearing, not behaviour.

4. If you’re part of the Hearinguru community:

Share stories, posts and videos. Stories change behaviour more than data.

Final Message

Children’s Day is about giving every child a fair chance.

• Millions of children live with hearing loss.
• Simple tests detect it within days after birth.
• Early treatment can normalise speech and learning.

The only missing link is awareness and action.

So this Children’s Day, let’s promise:

No child should miss the sound of their own name — just because nobody thought of a hearing test.