Another genetic defect has been discovered that may cause some cases of congenital deafness, reports the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Congenital hearing loss or deafness occurs in one in 750 babies. The PTPRQ gene, discovered by scientists at Radboud University, appears to play a role in the fetal period in the development of inner ear hair cells, which play a key role in the perception of sounds. Insufficient number or abnormal growth of hair cells leads to deafness or severe hearing loss. We already know several dozen genes related to deafness.
The discovery will help deaf people to better assess the likelihood of their children developing deafness. There are also chances that an effective treatment method will be developed in the future (PAP).