Genes function like our body’s blueprint: they are the instructions for the body on how to develop and function. As a result, they play a large role in our ability to hear, both at birth and throughout our lives. There are a few ways that genetics can influence your ears and hearing; let’s discuss some of the major ones.
Genetic Predispositions
Hearing loss, like other health conditions, such as thyroid issues and breast cancer, can run in the family. This is why, at a hearing test appointment, we often cover family history as well as your own personal medical history. A deaf or hard-of-hearing (HOH) parent is more likely to have a child who is deaf or HOH.
Additionally, age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, may have some genetic element to it. Presbycusis is incredibly common, but, based on your family history, you might be more likely to develop it sooner in your life, more severely or more rapidly.
Syndromes and Rare Diseases
In other cases, hearing loss may not be passed down the family line, but another health condition associated with hearing loss is. Some of these conditions include:
- Otosclerosis, or abnormal bone growth of the middle ear
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
- Pendred syndrome
- Waardenburg syndrome
- Nager syndrome
- Miller syndrome
- Some autoimmune diseases that cause the body to attack healthy tissues of the ears and auditory pathway
Many of these conditions are caused by a genetic mutation passed from parent to child. While “genetic mutation” might sound scary, it basically means that an element of the gene is missing, out of order or changed in some way.
If you had genetic testing done during pregnancy or learned at birth that your baby has a syndrome, it’s worth investigating if hearing loss is associated with your baby’s syndrome.
When Does Genetic Hearing Loss Manifest?
When hearing loss caused by genetics begins to show itself depends on the cause and type of hearing loss. Presbycusis was mentioned above; with presbycusis, you wouldn’t notice it until after middle age. Some syndromes and rare diseases, however, may be apparent at birth or during childhood.
If you’re concerned about your child’s hearing ability, talk to us about pediatric hearing tests. If you are wondering if genetically influenced hearing loss is beginning to show itself in your adulthood, consider coming in for a hearing evaluation yourself. Contact Hearing Services of Santa Barbara today to learn more or make an appointment.