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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- For those with inherited their hearing loss, a new discovery may take away the mystery surrounding their condition. After years of research, scientists have identified a new form of hereditary deafness.
The condition, known as DFNA25, occurs when chromosome 12 lacks a certain gene. This gene is responsible for carrying hearing signals from the ears inner hair cells to the auditory nerve, and then on to the brain. When this gene, known as SLC17A8, is missing, hearing loss occurs.
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The severity of this mutations effects varies from person to person, and the resulting hearing loss may occur early or later in life.
Experts say identifying this mutation in individual cases should encourage them to take care of their hearing.
In many types of hereditary hearing loss, its likely that environmental factors that people can control, such as smoking and exposure to noise, also can influence how severe the hearing loss is, and how early in life it begins, Marci Lesperance, associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology at the University of Maryland and co-author of the study, was quoted as saying.
Two unrelated families involved in the study carry the mutation, pointing to a possibly ancient and common abnormality. Future research may find this mutation affects others who have an unexplained family history of hearing loss, Dr. Lesperance explained.
As much as half the deaf population has hereditary hearing loss.
SOURCE: American Journal of Human Genetics, published online July 31, 2008
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