title: The use of genetic testing in the evaluation of hearing impairment in a child.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the role of genetic testing in the evaluation of hearing impairment in children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The introduction of genetic testing has greatly enhanced the evaluation of deafness and hearing impairment in children. It can save time and money as well as providing patients, their families, and their physicians with important information; however, this testing is different from the medical testing that pediatricians typically order.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients and families to realize the benefits of genetic testing it must be done early in the evaluation process and must be accompanied by appropriate pretest and posttest counseling.
authors.forename: Nathaniel H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: Sandra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Prucka
authors.forename: Audie L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: Richard Jh
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics; D005192:Family Health; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein
chemical_list: D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein