Main Line Audiology Consultants, PC explains how genetics contribute to hearing loss.

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THE ROLE OF GENES AND GENETICS IN HEARING
LOSS
Certainly injury and illness can cause hearing loss, but could genetics also
contribute? Without a doubt, the answer is “Yes.” In fact, industry professionals
agree that most hearing loss is due to some kind of genetic irregularity.
Furthermore, developmental experts consider genetic hearing loss to be the most
frequently occurring birth defect in developed countries.
Genetics 101. They way your body functions and looks is controlled by the
genetic code of your DNA – your genes. More than 100 different genes have
been discovered that are associated with hearing loss. If one or more of these
genes is changed or absent the effect can often be hearing loss. When an
individual carrying these abnormal gene
sequences has a child, the abnormal gene
or genes are often passed on to the child
too.
Genetic hearing loss variations. Some
forms of genetic hearing loss can visibly
affect the outer ear, while other varieties
just influence hearing in the inner ear.
Sensorineural, conductive or mixed hearing
loss may result. The hearing loss does not necessarily start at birth. It could have
a later onset after the child has learned to speak (postlingual hearing loss). Some
of the genetic conditions are common enough to have names. For example,
Usher syndrome impacts about 50 % of the deaf-blind population. Another
prevalent hereditary condition is Waardenburg syndrome, a disorder in which
hearing loss occurs in the inner ear but external effects such as light eyes, light
skin and a white flash of hair may be also be seen.
What’s the good news? Just because a parent has hearing loss, doesn’t
inevitably mean the child will have hearing loss too. Genes, which result in
hearing loss are usually recessive. As long as the child receives a normal copy of
the gene from one parent, their hearing should be normal. Even when both
parents suffer from hearing loss, their children may still not be affected because

2.
Main Line Audiology Consultants, PC|
(610) 616-4982|
http://mainlineaudiology.com
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different genes may be responsible in each parent. Genetic screening is
available for those who suspect hearing loss is in their genes.