Hereditary hearing loss and deafness
Definition
Hereditary hearing loss and deafness refers to the genetically caused loss or partial impairment of the ability to hear. It is estimated that at least half of the people with hearing loss and/or deafness in the developed world have it as the result of genetic causes.
Description
Genetic forms of hearing loss can be congenital (present from birth) or delayed onset. These hearing losses can be progressive, in which the hearing impairment increases with time; or non-progressive, in which the hearing loss is stable over time. Both ears (bilateral) or only one ear (unilateral) may be affected and the hearing loss may be equal in both ears (symmetric) or different in each ear (asymmetric). Hearing loss may be the only finding the affected person has (non-syndromic hereditary hearing...
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