One of the most common types of inherited deafness is bilateral severe to profound sensorineural deafness which is usually of autosomal recessive inheritance. Early diagnosis and treatment is important. Testing of babies for hearing can be carried out at any age. Inheritance patterns Variable. Inherited deafness may be autosomal dominant , where one parent carries the condition such as Treacher Collins Syndrome , autosomal recessive such as Usher Syndrome , X-linked recessive such as some cases of Alport Syndrome, or uncommonly of mitochondrial inheritance.
Some cases are due to new genetic mutations.
Genetic advice should be sought in all cases where a genetic cause is possible, so that recurrence risks are understood by the family. The Society is a National Registered Charity No. 1016532. It was formed in 1944. It operates through four regions, London East, London West, Southern Counties, West Midlands and North East. Various programmes are run through the regional centres but are available to children from all areas if they can travel to the relevant regional centre.