Impact of Genetic Testing on Hearing Interventions

Clinical guidelines recommend genetic testing when evaluating congenital and late-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Genetic diagnoses can provide parents additional information regarding anticipated hearing loss progression, comorbid conditions, and family planning. Additionally, obtaining a genetic diagnosis may increase parental acceptance of hearing loss and subsequent pursuit of intervention. This study evaluates the association between genetic diagnoses and hearing loss intervention.

We included children ages 0-18 years with SNHL who were hearing aid or cochlear implant candidates but non-users and underwent hearing-loss gene panel testing prior to initiating intervention. Univariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of hearing aid fitting or cochlear implantation. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated the impact of demographic and clinical factors on subsequent intervention.

Of the 385 children with SNHL who underwent hearing loss gene panel testing, 111 were included. Median age was 7.5 years. 56% were underrepresented minorities, 71% were non-White, and 71% were publicly insured. Those found to have a genetic diagnosis were 4.6 times as likely to subsequently undergo intervention (p = 0.035). Additionally, bilateral hearing loss and earlier age of genetic testing were associated with increased likelihood of intervention.

Up to half of children with SNHL are suspected to have an underlying genetic etiology. Children diagnosed with a genetic diagnosis are significantly more likely to subsequently utilize hearing aids or cochlear implantation. This provides additional support for clinical guidelines recommending genetic testing not only due to the impact of prognostication but also on treatment decision-making.

4 Laryngoscope, 133:1982-1986, 2023.