Hereditary sensorineural hearing loss: advances in molecular genetics and mutation analysis
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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Iris Schrijver1, Phyllis Gardner
1Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology & Pediatrics, L235, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. ischrijver@stanfordmed.org
Abstract:
Hearing loss has a genetic etiology in the majority of cases and is very common. The universal newborn hearing screening program, together with remarkable recent progress in the characterization of genes associated with the function of hearing, have resulted in increased demand and exciting possibilities of detecting the molecular basis of hereditary hearing loss through DNA testing. Future molecular diagnostic assays are expected to offer a greater variety of gene-specific tests, as well as combined mutation panels, which will aid in the management of the impressive genetic heterogeneity observed in hereditary hearing loss, especially in individuals with nonsyndromic forms. This review addresses the genetics of hearing loss, discusses the most commonly offered genetic assays for nonsyndromic hearing loss, with advantages and limitations, proposes a practical testing algorithm, and highlights current developments.
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