why children lose their hearing and what we can do 215
Hearing loss that is passed down
in families
Some children’s ears do not develop fully.
This genetic problem is passed down in
families — inherited from other family
members and from earlier generations —
although no one else in the family may show
signs of deafness.
Grandfather was
deaf, just like Lihua.
I wonder how much
deafness there has
been in our family...
Hearing loss because of intermarriage
Some kinds of hearing loss can happen because
of intermarriage between blood relatives, such
as first cousins. In many village communities,
intermarriage is common. Parents who are
related to each other very closely can have
children with hearing problems. If you, your
children, or your family members have problems
hearing, other children born later may also have
hearing problems.
Sometimes a child who has an inherited hearing loss
may also have other problems, such as problems seeing;
different-colored eyes or white streaks in the hair; goiter or heart trouble;
or abnormally-shaped bones of the head, hands, feet, arms, legs, or
neck. But sometimes the only inherited problem is the hearing loss.
Deafness may be partial or full, and may be from the time of birth, or
may develop later.
Prevention:
Avoid marriage between blood relatives such
as cousins. Genetic counselors (people who
know about the risk of certain diseases being
passed from parents to their children) are
available in some cities. Try to talk to a health
worker if you are concerned about
hearing loss in your family.
This is my son Pratap.
He is deaf, and so is
my uncle.
Will our
other
babies be
born deaf,
too?
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)