Hearing loss isn’t always caused by external factors – sometimes it’s a hereditary issue.
Which really just means, it might run in the family. Sometimes it’s due to a mutation of a gene that is consistently passed down, and sometimes it’s due to other genetic conditions that just mean you and your relatives might be more predisposed to hearing loss.
When a baby is born with hearing loss, more than 60% of the time, it’s hereditary. But many other forms of hereditary hearing loss don’t occur until later in life, when environmental factors cause them to kick in.
At the current time, there are over 400 forms of hearing loss that are directly tied to hereditary conditions.
“Genetic factors also make some people more susceptible to hearing loss than others. Their genes make them more predisposed to hearing loss due to ageing or induced by noise, drugs or infections. It is estimated that the causes of age-related hearing loss are 35-55% genetic.” (https://www.hear-it.org/Genetic-hearing-loss)
This type of hearing loss can be progressive – meaning it gets worse as time goes by, or non-progressive – meaning the amount of hearing loss does not change.
Within the designation of hereditary hearing loss, there are two additional types. Either it’s the only issue that occurs, or it’s a part of another larger group of problems tied to a genetic syndrome.
Genetic syndromes, wherein a mutation on specific genes can result in multiple issues, including hearing loss are:
- Down Syndrome
- Usher Syndrome
- Treacher Collins Syndrome
- Crouzon Syndrome
- Alport Syndrome
In other cases, hearing loss is the only evident problem.
It might be caused by a malformation of parts of the inner ear, or the tiny hairs that perceive sounds.
Whatever the cause of your hearing loss, we’d love to chat about your options to improve what hearing you have.
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We can’t wait to help you gain a better hearing lifestyle. Here at Anderson Audiology we are committed to better hearing and committed to you! Contact us today and schedule an appointment.