Earlier this year, we found out about gerbils who had been ‘cured’ of deafness. Now, in the next step in deafness research, a new genetic test is set to make it possible to find out exactly why someone is deaf.
Scientists at the University of Antwerp have pioneered a test which could give roughly half of deaf people the chance to find out exactly what gene made them deaf. Currently, only around 10-20% of cases can be diagnosed.
The new test uses advanced DNA sequencing technology that enables the test to screen all genes that are related to deafness at the same time.
Knowing the cause of deafness could mean that scientists become able to predict how a person’s deafness may develop over time. It may also mean that parents have more information about the probability of having a deaf baby.
The genetic test should be available in 2013.
More information:
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/news-and-events/all-regions/press-releases/new-test-to-better-understand-cause-of-childhood-deafness-within-a-year.aspx
Original research:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajmg.a.35737/abstract
Please take a moment to check out the sponsors who make this site possible! The Limping Chicken is supported by Deaf media company Remark!, sign language communications agency Deaf Umbrella, provider of video interpreting services SignVideo, and the RAD Deaf Law Centre, who provide legal advice for deaf people.
Enjoying our eggs? Support The Limping Chicken:
The Limping Chicken is the world's most popular Deaf blog, and is edited by Deaf journalist, screenwriter and director Charlie Swinbourne.
Our posts represent the opinions of blog authors, they do not represent the site's views or those of the site's editor. Posting a blog does not imply agreement with a blog's content. Read our disclaimer here and read our privacy policy here.
Find out how to write for us by clicking here, and how to follow us by clicking here.
The site exists thanks to our supporters. Check them out below:
- BSL Zone: TV programmes in BSL for the Deaf community
- Deaf Umbrella: sign language interpreting - find out about listening fatigue.
- Bellman & Symfon: home alerting solutions, including the mobile phone transceiver!
- SignVideo: Instant BSL video interpreting online
- SignHealth: check out the BSL health library
- 999 BSL: call 999 in an emergency, in BSL
- Appa: Looking for RSLIs, TSLIs and CSWs, apply here!
- Mary Hare School: Education for deaf children and young people
- Signly: Adding BSL to websites
- Signworld: Learn BSL online!
- DCAL: world-class research into deafness, cognition and language
- Action Deafness: “A Deaf-Led Charity” – interpreting & community support services
- Sign Solutions: Instant access to Interpreters, training and BSL translation nationwide
- InterpretersLive: On demand BSL video interpretation
- Lipspeaker UK: specialist lipspeaking support
- Performance Interpreting: BSL interpreting at concerts
- National Deaf Children's Society: The leading charity for deaf children
Paul Redfern
December 3, 2012
Why do people waste so much time on this crap? The real issues are the lack of equality and the lack of research into tinnitus whcih literally drives people crazy and into suicide.