Hidden Hungers and Hearing Loss in Children

Hidden hungers and Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are global challenges that have a huge impact on health of vulnerable population like children. Nutritional imbalances are increasingly thought to be a causative factor in hearing loss. However, less attention has been paid towards MNDs, which can be prevented. Therefore, this mini-review aims to draw attention of concerned authorities and researchers to combat against MNDs that affect hearing. The major causes of MNDs were poor diet, diseases and infestations, and poor health caring practices. Hearing loss has profound health, social, and economic consequences. Affected children are likely to experience speech, language, and cognitive delays and poor school performance. Only severe prenatal iodine deficiency is listed by the WHO as a nutritional cause of hearing loss, leaving the broad roles of diet and nutrition within its complex set of etiologies yet to be defined.