Enhancement of hearing capability among children with congenital sensorineural hearing impairment following the Prajñā Yoga: An Indian knowledge system based intervention

Congenital hearing impairment possesses a significant challenge to children's quality of life (QoL). This quasi-experimental study investigates the potential benefits of a two-day yogic practice, Prajñā Yoga in enhancing the auditory skills and improving QoL among hearing impaired children. The total sample size is 304 with 178 children in the intervention arm who received the daily yogic practice and 126 children in the waitlist control arm. Audiological assessments were done by Pure Tone Audiometry, Immittance Audiometry and reflexometry. To capture any hearing enhancement, QoL and behavioral improvement various psychometric scales were used. The assessments were done at Day 0, 3, 15 and 30 days of practice. Quantitative data were presented using Mean (SD) while the categorical values were done in the form of numbers and percentages. Paired t test was used to compare the data across different time points. The results revealed a significant improvement in hearing ability among the intervention group practitioners evidenced by a 10-15 dB decrease in hearing thresholds compared to the control group (p value <0.001). 91.5% and 55% of the participants in the intervention arm demonstrated an improvement in at least one ear and have turned responsive from non-responsive respectively. Additionally, the intervention group also demonstrated significant improvement in QoL, compared to the control group (p value <0.001). With the growing rate of hearing impairment among children, the present study underscores the importance of Prajñā Yoga as a non-pharmacological solution to improve the QoL and enhance auditory abilities.