An Epidemiological Evaluation of the Burden of Hearing Loss and Its Demographic Determinants in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand

Hearing loss is an increasingly prevalent but under-recognized public health concern in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The present cross-sectional study was conducted across the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Community Health Centre (CHC), and Government Hospital of the Pokhra block to assess the burden, severity, and determinants of hearing impairment among 70 individuals. Data were collected through interviews, otoscopic examination, and screening pure tone audiometry. Results showed that mild hearing loss (28.6%) was most common, followed by moderate (21.4%) and severe forms (15.7%), while 22.9% had normal hearing. The prevalence was higher among males (54.3%) and elderly individuals, particularly those aged 51–70 years (37.1%). Occupational noise exposure (34.3%) and chronic ear infections (28.6%) emerged as major contributing factors, alongside presbycusis (22.9%) and ototoxic drug history (7.1%). Despite partial awareness regarding noise-related hearing damage (51.4%), the use of hearing protection was low (17.1%), and access to audiology and rehabilitation services remained limited. The study emphasizes the need for community-level awareness, routine screening, preventive strategies, and improved healthcare accessibility to reduce the burden of hearing loss in the region.