Clinical aspects of hereditary hearing loss.
Hearing loss is an etiologically diverse condition with many disease-related complications and major clinical, social, and quality of life implications. As the rate of acquired hearing loss secondary to environmental causes decreases and improvements in the diagnosis of abnormalities occur, the significance of genetic factors that lead to deafness increases. Advancements in molecular biology have led to improved detection and earlier intervention in patients with hearing loss. Subsequently, earlier implementation of educational services and cochlear implant technology in patients with profound hearing loss now results in superior communication skills and enhanced language development. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive framework underlying the causes of hearing impairment and to detail the clinical management for patients with hereditary hearing loss.
Kochhar
Amit
A
Molecular Otolaryngology Research Laboratories, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Hildebrand
Michael S
MS
Smith
Richard J H
RJ
D003051:Cochlea; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D009626:Terminology as Topic