When a child is diagnosed with deafness, many parents often wonder what the exact cause of the child’s deafness is. In recent studies (Arnos K. &., 2007) 50-60% of hearing loss (moderate to profound, congenital, or early-onset) have shown genetics to be a large factor. Non genetic factors (i.e. maternal infection, prematurity or postnatal infection) may cause 40-50% of the remaining hearing loss. About one-third of children with hereditary deafness have features that are part of a genetic syndrome and there are between 300-400 different forms of genetic deafness that are known. Most children benefit from a genetic evaluation as a dominant diagnostic tool in determining the exact cause of the deafness, and the role of the audiologist is pivitol in counseling parents of deaf children through this process.
“Genetic forms of hearing loss result from changes in genetic material (Arnos, 2006, pg. 1).”This material, DNA, is a part of every cell in our body. DNA is divided into genes, in which we inherit one copy from each parent. “The long chains of DNA are divided in sections called genes, in which each person inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Humans have approximately 30,000 genes, of which at least 10% are involved in determining the structure and function of the ear (Arnos K. P., 2006, pg. 1).”
Twenty five percent of congenital hearing loss is from non-genetic factors. Some factors are: maternal infections, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, or herpes. Other factors include: premature birth, low birth weight, birth injuries, anoxia, and toxins (ex: drugs and alcohol consumed by the mother during pregnancy).
There are several inheritance patterns for deafness. Autosomal dominant deafness accounts for app...
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... hearing impairment in comparison to other disabilities, and the pragmatic prioritization of their child’s developmental needs. The second theme related to parental understanding of genetics, their assumptions based on sources of knowledge and the personalization of genetic characteristics. The third theme involved parental experiences in their interactions with audiologists. It was determined that when making genetic referrals, audiologists should understand genetics and genetic testing process sufficiently to make referrals.
When making decisions in treating children with hearing loss, knowing the origin might be very useful in future decisions regarding treatment. Genetic testing and counseling can help parents cope and make important decisions for the future of their child, while helping them gain awareness of the genetic cause of their child’s hearing loss.
Groce’s genetic analysis includes the use of family pedigrees and Mendelian concepts, otherwise known as the recessive gene, in tracing the etiology of deafness on the island. After tracing many family pedigrees, including the first deaf inhabitant Jonathan Lambert, Groce finds an interesting connection that plays a role in the passing of deafness from generation to generation. She theorizes that “…the genetic mutation [deafness] must have first occurred in someone who lived in the ...
Marie Jean Philip was born on April 20, 1953, in Worchester, Massachusetts. She was the first-born child. Although she was born to deaf parents, Marie’s deafness came as a surprise for her parents. She had two sisters whom were also deaf. Deafness was hereditary in her family, however not everyone in her family was deaf. Marie’s father had one sister who was deaf and her mother had two siblings who were also deaf. When Marie was 11 months her parents noticed that she wasn’t responding to all noises. Her parents decided to test her hearing one day by creating noises behind Marie to see if she would respond. When Marie responded only to the loudest of noises, such as pots banging together, they found that at times she could hear with her right ear, but she could not hear anything out of her left.
Just like members of other minorities, such as Hispanics and African-Americans, Deaf people experience some of the same oppression and hardships. Although the attempts to "fix" members of and obliterate the DEAF-WORLD are not as highly publicized as problems with other minorities, they still exist. Throughout time, hearing people have been trying to destroy the DEAF-WORLD with the eugenics movement, the mainstreaming of Deaf children into public hearing schools, and cochlear implants.
Deafness affects millions of people in the United States every year. Cochlear implants and hearing aids are two methods to treat the hearing impaired, but the person has to rely on the device to hear sounds. First announced in Nature Medicine, scientists at the University of Michigan Medical School have discovered a gene that could potentially cure deafness.
Singleton, Jenny and Matthew Tittle. “Deaf Parents and Their Hearing Children.” Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. 5.3 (2000): 221-234. PsycINFO. EBSCO. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
In the United States today, approximately 4500 children are born deaf each year, and numerous other individuals suffer injuries or illnesses that can cause partial or total loss of hearing, making them the largest “disability” segment in the country. Although, those in the medical field focus solely on the medical aspects of hearing loss and deafness, members of the deaf community find this unwarranted focus limiting and restrictive; because of its failure to adequately delineate the sociological aspects and implications of the deaf and their culture. Present day members of deaf culture reject classifications such as “deaf mute” or “deaf and dumb”, as marginalizing them because of their allusions to a presumed disability. (Edwards, 2012, p. 26-30)
National Institute of Health. (2011). National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders: Improving the lives of people who have communication disorders. National Institute on
From a deafness-as-defect mindset, many well-meaning hearing doctors, audiologists, and teachers work passionately to make deaf children speak; to make these children "un-deaf." They try hearing aids, lip-reading, speech coaches, and surgical implants. In the meantime, many deaf children grow out of the crucial language acquisition phase. They become disabled by people who are anxious to make them "normal." Their lack of language, not of hearing, becomes their most severe handicap. While I support any method that works to give a child a richer life, I think a system which focuses on abilities rather than deficiencies is far more valuable. Deaf people have taught me that a lack of hearing need not be disabling. In fact, it shouldn?t be considered a lack at all. As a h...
According to Chapman et al., (2000), the loss of hearing appears to be a chronic issue through...
Hearing loss is a major global public health issue. Hearnet (2017) defines hearing loss as “a disability that occurs when one or more parts of the ear and/or the parts of the brain that make up the hearing pathway do not function normally” (para. 1). There are many different types of hearing loss, which can have multiple causes, giving each individual experiencing the issue a unique hearing loss case. These types include Auditory Processing Disorders, when the brain has problems processing sound information; Conductive Hearing Loss, a problem with the outer or middle ear which prevents sound making its way to the inner ear; and Sensorineural Hearing Loss, when the Cochlea or auditory nerve is damaged and cannot
Hearing loss affects approximately 17 in 1,000 children under the age 18. However, it is more common in older adults. Approximately 314 in 1,000 people over the age 65 have hearing loss issues. Hearing loss can sometimes be fixed but other main types of hearing loss can not be fixed. Hearing loss is a serious subject that affects many people throughout the world, young and old.
The current hypothesis is that one of my genes is a mutated gene, that mutated gene is what is causing my hearing loss. If this is the real reason why I have hearing loss, there is also worry for what other problems does this mutated gene cause. With finding a mutated gene, they will most likely be able to predict how much worse my hearing will get. Another possible but not likely cause is a tumor, currently, I have to get an MRI to make sure that there is no growth inside of my head. If there is a growth, that will lead to some serious issues. The last possible cause is that loud noises have damaged my hearing, but it is even more less likely than a tumor. I am almost never exposed to loud music, concerts, or anything of that nature, which would causes hearing loss. Since I've been losing hearing since I was 5, they have practically ruled that one out because it makes no
Children with a significant hearing loss tend to struggle and are at risk, falling below their potential. Often times children with a hearing loss do poor academically and have delays in critical thinking skills, language, and may often struggle when it comes to their social and emotional development. These struggles are because language plays an important role in overall development. Current early intervention is more ...
Usher Syndrome (US) is a genetic disorder, caused by a recessive gene, and when both parents do not show any symptoms or express any of the genes characteristics. According to Benson, US is the most common cause of both deafness and blindness being inherited (2015). Currently, there are at least 10 genes able to cause US (Benson, 2015). Modern technology, such as newborn hearing screening, has reduced the age of diagnosed hearing loss from 12-18 moths to 6 months. Unfortunately, children with US are often diagnosed with only a hearing loss, at first, because problems with vision do not appear until much later. This misdiagnosis leaves parents confused because US has never been in their family before, but there is only a 25% their offspring with inherit US, and that is if they both carry the same genetic variation of US. There are also three different types of US and each type faces a different way to manage/treat these issues (Wallber, 2009b).
My instructor had informed us about people with hearing impairments and disorders, but I never thought much about it. After this assignment, I realized how hard it is to have your hearing impaired. I had the luxury of being able to take out my plugs and fix my impairment if I became to overwhelmed or stressed. Those who are impaired do not have such luxury. I did not expect as much of a psychological element to this assignment as there was. There were times where I felt anxiety stirring inside of me. I became anxious if I missed something. The first day back with un-impaired hearing was memorable. I kept thinking to myself how hard short conversations would be if I was impaired. Moving forward, I have a better grasp of what hearing impairment really is and how hard it is to live with. I will be more conscious of my hearing because I never want to experience fulltime