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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Genetic Causes of Hearing Loss in a Large Cohort of Cochlear Implant Recipients
Kristen L Seligman1, A Eliot Shearer1,2, Kathy Frees1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Abstract:
Understanding genetic causes of hearing loss can determine the pattern and course of a patient's hearing loss and may also predict outcomes after cochlear implantation. Our goal in this study was to evaluate genetic causes of hearing loss in a large cohort of adults and children with cochlear implants. We performed comprehensive genetic testing on all patients undergoing cochlear implantation. Of the 459 patients included in the study, 128 (28%) had positive genetic testing. In total, 44 genes were identified as causative. The top 5 genes implicated were GJB2 (20, 16%), TMPRSS3 (13, 10%), SLC26A4 (10, 8%), MYO7A (9, 7%), and MT-RNR1 (7, 5%). Pediatric patients had a higher diagnostic rate. This study lays the groundwork for future studies evaluating the relationship between genetic variation and cochlear implant performance.
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