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The survey received over 31,000 responses from citizens located in 311 districts of India
World Hearing Day 2025: This year’s theme focuses on reshaping perceptions and empowering hearing health. (Image Shutterstock)
At least 62% have one or more individuals in their family who has had onset of some level of hearing loss in the past five years, according to a LocalCircles survey ahead of World Hearing Day (March 3).
The survey received over 31,000 responses from citizens located in 311 districts of India. While 64% respondents were men, 36% respondents were women. Around 47% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2 and 27% respondents were from tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts.
The survey first asked people, “How many members of your family (including yourself) have had onset of hearing loss in the last 5 years?”
Of the 16,846 who responded to the question, 24% stated “5 or more” family members; 19% of respondents stated “2 – 4″ family members; 19% of respondents stated “1 of them”; and 38% of respondents stated “Thankfully, no one”.
The survey next asked people, “What do you attribute the loss of hearing experienced by you/ your family member(s) to?”
Of the 14,699 who responded to the question, 56% attributed hearing loss to “aging”; 12% of respondents said it is “genetics/hereditary”; 4% of respondents attributed it to “use of headphones”; 8% of respondents stated it was due to impact of “Covid”; 3% of respondents attributed it to “Covid vaccine” impact; 8% of respondents stated it was due to “medical condition”; 3% of respondents stated it was due to “other causes” not mentioned and 6% of respondents did not give a clear answer”.
To sum up, 11% Indians surveyed who have had one more individual in their family experiencing onset of some level of hearing loss in the past five years attribute it to Covid or Covid vaccine while 4% attribute it to use of headphones.
LocalCircles is a community social media platform that enables citizens and small businesses to escalate issues for policy and enforcement interventions and enables the Government to make policies that are citizen and small business centric.