A new age in the genetics of deafness.

Recent advancements have been made in understanding, diagnosing, and treating deafness. In particular, much has been learned from the discovery of a small fraction of the genes responsible for deafness. This understanding will doubtless increase as additional genes are cloned and their functions elucidated. Trailing close behind these achievements will be more clinical advancements facilitating diagnosis of the etiologies of deafness. Integrating these genetic and clinical perspectives is critical to the development of better treatments and interventional strategies for deafness and its associated difficulties. Although opinions toward these advancements are likely to vary between the hearing population and the Deaf community, a growing understanding of the hearing process and how genetic variations result in deafness is ultimately likely to offer benefits to both groups.