Study Highlights Importance of Vaccines in Preventing Hearing Loss

New Delhi: Vaccines may play a crucial role in preventing hearing loss among children and adolescents, according to a new study that identified 26 infectious pathogens capable of causing hearing impairment.

Globally, over 1.5 billion people experience some degree of hearing loss. While aging is a common cause, infections—many of which are preventable—are also a significant but lesser-known contributor, particularly during childhood and adolescence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 60% of childhood hearing loss could be avoided through public health measures like vaccinations against rubella and certain types of meningitis.

To delve deeper, researchers from institutions including Université de Montréal in Canada conducted a comprehensive review of existing scientific literature. Their findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, revealed 26 infectious agents linked to hearing loss. These include viruses responsible for diseases like measles and rubella—the latter especially dangerous during pregnancy as it can damage a developing fetus's auditory system, potentially causing congenital deafness.

Other culprits include the mumps virus, which can lead to sensorineural hearing loss by affecting the inner ear or auditory nerve, as well as bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis, all of which can cause meningitis and result in lasting hearing damage.

“If a vaccine is shown to save lives, that alone justifies its use in policy decisions,” said Professor Mira Johri of the Department of Health Management, Evaluation, and Policy at Université de Montréal’s School of Public Health. “But vaccines also provide broader benefits, like preventing hearing loss—an aspect that deserves more recognition.”

The study recommends factoring in the potential to prevent hearing loss when evaluating vaccines—both during development and for those already in use. Including this consideration could also guide priorities for future vaccine research and innovation.

With inputs from IANS