Phenotypic characterization of hereditary hearing impairment linked to DFNA25.
OBJECTIVE
To clinically characterize a family with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss linked to the DFNA25 gene and to assess whether mitochondrial mutations influence the penetrance of the phenotype.


METHODS
Longitudinal clinical and basic science molecular genetic study.


METHODS
Academic medical center and molecular genetic research laboratory.


METHODS
Members of a family with dominant high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.


METHODS
Questionnaires, serial audiograms, and interviews correlated with molecular genetic data.


METHODS
Symptoms, age at onset, serial audiometric data, and the presence or absence of 4 deafness-associated mitochondrial mutations.


RESULTS
Affected individuals typically manifest a high-frequency, slowly progressive sensorineural hearing loss in the postlingual period. The mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant with age-dependent penetrance. Male affected members tended to report an earlier onset of hearing loss than female members. In those inheriting the DFNA25-associated haplotype from an affected mother, hearing loss invariably developed by the second decade of life, whereas those inheriting the DFNA25 haplotype from an affected father often maintained hearing levels comparable to those of age-matched control subjects, even into the seventh decade of life. None of 4 deafness-associated mitochondrial mutations screened (1555A>G, 7445A>G, Cins7472, and 7511T>C) were found to segregate in the family.


CONCLUSIONS
It is difficult to differentiate delayed-onset high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss inherited as a simple mendelian trait like DFNA25-associated hearing loss from that due to noise exposure or presbycusis, disorders that may also have a genetic component. An awareness of the clinical presentation of such hearing loss may help clinicians identify hearing loss attributable to genetic causes and improve care for these patients.
Thirlwall
Andrea S
AS
Oxford Regional Training Programme, Oxford, England.
Brown
David J
DJ
McMillan
Pamella M
PM
Barker
Susan E
SE
Lesperance
Marci M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States