Hearing loss can be genetic. Genetic abnormalities actually lay at the root of most forms of hearing loss. In the developed world, hearing loss is considered the most frequent hereditary birth defect.

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Is Hearing Loss In Your DNA?
Everybody knows that injuries, noise exposure and selected diseases can result in hearing loss, but are
your genes involved? Yes. Hearing loss can be genetic. Genetic abnormalities actually lay at the root of
most forms of hearing loss. In the developed world, hearing loss is considered the most frequent
hereditary birth defect.
DNA, genes and inheritance. Genes are essentially pieces
of code that make up our DNA and tell our bodies how to
function and how to look. Over 100 different genes have
been found that relate to hearing loss. If any of these
genes are altered or missing from the DNA, hearing loss is
frequently the result. Parental genes are passed to
children, so any irregular gene sequences which produce
hearing loss are handed down.
Types of genetic hearing loss. Hereditary hearing losses can originate from flaws in the outer ear, inner
ear or both areas. Depending on the specific cause, the resulting hearing loss is classified as sensorineural,
conductive or mixed (which is a mixture of the two). What’s more, hereditary hearing loss can present
itself at birth or later in life. A few of the genetic conditions are prevalent enough to have names. For
example, Usher syndrome impacts about half of the deaf-blind population. Waardenburg syndrome is
another prevalent disorder that affects hearing in the inner ear but also causes pale skin, a streak of white
hair, and light or multi-colored eyes.
The good news about hereditary hearing losses. Just because a parent has hearing loss, does not
inevitably mean the child will have hearing loss too. The genes that cause hearing loss are typically
recessive and therefore often don’t result in any outward symptoms because the child has inherited a
normal copy from the other parent. Since there are hundreds of distinct genes associated with hearing
loss, even if both parents are hearing impaired, their kids may not be since the parent’s hearing loss could
have different root causes. People concerned with hereditary hearing loss can see a specialist for genetic
testing that can help identify potential risks.