Chromosome 3 and Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss affects 25 to 30 percent of people over 65. This type of progressive hearing loss with age may also have a significant genetic component – as much as 40% of cases. A recent study of male twin pairs, both of whom were war veterans, has found a location (but no candidate genes) on the long arm (q) of chromosome 3 near the DFNA18 gene that appears to be linked to age-related hearing loss.
The military service and exposure to loud noises may also represent a variable that is needed for gene-environment interaction. It is possible that subjects with a genetic susceptibility will only exhibit hearing loss late in life if they are exposed to significant noise earlier in life.
MedPage Today, May 16, 2006
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This is another great post, Hsien-Hsien. This study can help explain hearing loss in my father and his relatives. Genetic research rocks!
Deb: Hi! I hope your dad is coping well with his hearing loss. (I swear I’m working hard on my chapter….)