Mon Mar 03 13:49:26 UTC 2025: ## Thousands of Indian Babies Born with Permanent Hearing Loss Each Year, AIISH Study Reveals

**Mysuru, March 3, 2025** – A new study from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru has revealed a shocking statistic: approximately five out of every 1,000 newborns in India are born with hearing loss, with roughly two-thirds experiencing permanent impairment. This translates to an estimated 140 children born with permanent hearing loss daily, given India’s high birth rate.

AIISH audiologists Indira C.P. and Sandeep M. highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that over 95% of these cases result from invisible inner ear damage. They stressed the critical importance of early intervention, advocating for adherence to the “1-3-6 rule”: screening at one month, diagnosis at three months, and intervention by six months. This timely intervention, they explained, is crucial for ensuring children with hearing loss develop speech and communication skills comparable to their hearing peers.

The study coincides with World Hearing Day, whose theme this year is “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All.” However, the lack of a universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) program in India remains a significant obstacle. The World Health Organization reports that fewer than 1% of Indian newborns undergo hearing loss screening. This delay in diagnosis often leads to significant developmental challenges and places a heavy burden on families and society.

While certain risk factors, such as family history or birth complications, increase the likelihood of congenital hearing loss, approximately half of all cases occur without identifiable risk factors, underscoring the need for universal screening. Parents are urged to verify whether their chosen maternity hospital offers otoacoustic emissions (OAE) screening and to seek screening elsewhere within the first month if it’s unavailable. AIISH Mysuru offers free screening.

Dr. Sandeep and Ms. Indira concluded by emphasizing the importance of empowering parents and healthcare providers with the knowledge and resources needed to ensure early identification and intervention, ultimately changing the lives of countless children across India. Free hearing screening is available at AIISH, Mysuru, by contacting 9141036292 or pocd@aiishmysore.in.

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