Can hearing loss be genetic? See Clarity Audiology for a specific diagnosis.
Hearing loss can come in many forms; it is a highly complex subject that has varying levels of severity and can have many causes. One common question about hearing loss is, “Is hearing loss hereditary?”
Is Hearing Loss Hereditary?
Hearing loss can be hereditary. Overall, hearing loss can be conductive, sensorineural, mixed hearing loss, or auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Hearing loss that is hereditary can affect any part of the ear, from the outer ear to the auditory nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain, which interprets sounds and speech.
Types of Inheritance
Autosomal Dominant
Autosomal dominant inheritance is a dominant gene passed down to the child. It only takes one altered gene out of the 150 that relate to a person’s hearing to affect the next generation. If it is a dominant gene, the child has a 50% chance of getting the same trait.
Autosomal Recessive
An autosomal recessive gene can only affect a child if it receives an altered autosomal recessive gene from both parents. If the parents each have a recessive gene, they likely do not display any symptoms of genetic hearing loss, but their children have a 25% chance of receiving both and displaying hearing loss.
X-Linked
If the altered gene is on the X chromosome, symptoms of hearing loss can show up more significantly in a male child than a female child. The child would have a 50% chance of bearing the affected gene on the X chromosome, affecting a son and making the daughter a carrier.
Mitochondrial
All mitochondria, which are located in cells for energy production, are inherited entirely from the mother. If an altered gene affecting hearing is located in the mitochondria, then all children will be affected, but may display varying levels of symptoms.
Forms of Hereditary Hearing Loss
Hereditary hearing loss can be one of two forms:
- Non-syndromic hearing loss: Non-syndromic hearing loss is hereditary hearing loss that only affects hearing and nothing else. It is a standalone condition that can affect any part of the ear. This type of hereditary hearing loss is the most common.
- Syndromic hearing loss: Syndromic hearing loss is a part of a larger medical condition. For example, different syndromes can cause different health conditions, which may or may not affect the sense of hearing.
It’s best to get genetic testing to understand the cause of your child’s hearing loss if you are still uncertain of its cause after preliminary hearing tests. If you need a trusted audiologist in Columbia, Maryland, contact Clarity Audiology.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, and Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.