Molecular Otolaryngology Diagnostic Laboratory
This multifaceted program of the Ear and Hearing Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was specifically developed to address the complex issue of pediatric hearing loss from multiple avenues.
Although our knowledge base of genetic disorders has grown, the availability of genetic testing for hereditary hearing impairment has lagged. Better access to these advance molecular technologies will greatly assist the diagnosis of these disorders and heighten the awareness of primary care physicians to refer these patients at an earlier age so current therapeutic regimes can be more effective.
Currently diagnostic tests are readily done in a timely fashion for the genes causing DFNB1, DFNB4, Pendred's syndrome and branchiotorenal syndrome. As further knowledge is acquired more comprehensive testing may be performed. Additionally, with the outstanding knowledge base and initiative in micro array technology at Cincinnati Children's, complete "hearing screens" of most of the known mutations for patients with hearing loss could be realized.
