Searching for Clues on Dr. Google
“His grandparents had trouble hearing, too—he must have gotten it from them.” Everyone has probably heard statements like this at some point. But is there any truth to the heredity theory? Is hearing loss hereditary? We put this question to an “expert”: Dr. Google.
What are the causes of hearing loss?
First, we’ll delve into Google’s seemingly endless archives to take a closer look at the causes of hearing loss or hearing impairment. Broadly speaking, the most commonly cited causes can be grouped into ten categories: noise, age, infections, earwax blockage, medications/alcohol and smoking, medical conditions, water, changes in air pressure, accidents, and genetics. Our search seems to have yielded results in just a short time. But we want to know more. So let’s take a look at the human genetic blueprint.
What is the rate of hearing loss and deafness associated with congenital disorders?
Each child inherits half of their genes from their father and half from their mother. Put very simply, these are then combined to form a new genetic code. If several of the inherited genes are defective, there is a possibility that hearing loss and hearing impairment, and deafness may be inherited. After some research, we even found more precise figures. According to information from several websites, hearing impairment and deafness, with a rate of 0.3 percent, are among the most common congenital disorders.
The responsible genes have not yet been identified
Even though more and more of the genes responsible are being identified, science is still far from having found them all. The only certainty is that there is indeed a higher risk if there are cases of congenital hearing loss in the family. However, not everyone who carries this genetic predisposition is affected. It’s also possible that the genes responsible aren’t passed on at all.
When in doubt, consult a real expert
Even if hearing problems become apparent as early as infancy, they can have various causes. This makes it all the more important to take children for hearing tests early and regularly and, if necessary, to have the cause determined.
In conclusion, our research showed that it is possible to inherit hearing loss or a predisposition to it. However, Google cannot draw the right conclusions from the multitude of reasons for hearing loss. If you notice that your hearing or that of your loved ones is deteriorating, or if you find yourself having to ask people to repeat themselves more often, you should have your hearing checked by an ENT doctor or an audiologist. They can not only identify the exact cause but also provide help.
In our first Q&A session, Dr. Google explored the question of whether it's possible to break your ear. You can find the answer here.
