Genetics of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 5.5% of the world’s population has sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and more than half of infants with congenital SNHL have a genetic cause. Thus, the role of genetics in hearing loss is undeniable. Over the past decade, genetic testing for SNHL has become a valuable diagnostic tool. Genetic testing has become more accessible with advances in technology and the decreasing cost of sequencing. Teamwork is important in the evaluation of patients with SNHL, and timely management of these patients is paramount. In addition, defining the genetic basis of SNHL in these individuals will help to develop appropriate treatment options, as some animal models in preclinical studies have already shown promising results for possible gene therapies in the future.