Parental Awareness and Early Detection of Pediatric Hearing Loss: A Clinician’s Perspective on Community Education Strategies

Abstract

Pediatric hearing loss remains an underestimated public health concern, despite its significant impact on children’s language development, academic performance, and emotional well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 15% of children aged 6 to 19 experience some level of hearing loss, many of whom are diagnosed late—sometimes well after entering school [1]. Although newborn hearing screening programs are in place, a major gap persists in parental awareness, which remains a critical factor in the continuum of early detection and intervention. Clinical experience and research underscore that empowering parents through community-based education is not only effective, but essential to improving children's health trajectories [2][3].