Published Paper Details:

Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital disabilities globally, affecting 2-3 per 1,000 live births in healthy neonates and up to 3-4 per 100 in high-risk infants. Early detection and intervention are critical to ensuring normal speech, language, and cognitive development. However, the success of newborn hearing screening and rehabilitation programs largely depends on the awareness and attitudes of mothers and pregnant women. This review aims to assess and synthesize current evidence regarding the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women and mothers of newborns toward hearing loss, its risk factors, early screening, and rehabilitation strategies. A structured narrative review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies published in English between January 2010 and June 2025 focusing on maternal knowledge and attitudes towards infant hearing loss were included. Only original research and review articles involving pregnant women or mothers with infants under one year were analyzed. Findings indicate that while the overall attitude towards newborn hearing screening is positive, substantial knowledge gaps exist, particularly regarding risk factors, the importance of early intervention, and understanding of congenital versus acquired hearing loss. High maternal education, urban residence, and regular antenatal care are associated with greater awareness and compliance. Conversely, socio-cultural beliefs, low socioeconomic status, and rural residence are linked to reduced awareness and follow-up. Mothers show strong willingness to participate in screening but may face barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and financial constraints. There is an urgent need for targeted educational interventions during antenatal and postnatal care to bridge existing knowledge gaps and support informed decision-making. Enhancing maternal awareness and addressing socioeconomic and cultural barriers are very much essential for the success of early hearing detection and rehabilitation programs.