With increased emphasis on early detection of hearing impairment, more babi
es are likely to be referred at younger ages to otolaryngologists for evalu
ation. With a diminution in the number of infants who have hearing impairme
nt as a result of such factors as maternal infection, neonatal sepsis, or o
totoxicity, the relative importance of detecting a genetic cause of newborn
hearing impairment is likely to increase. Therefore, the otolaryngologist
must become familiar with common causes of:hereditary hearing impairment an
d the ways in which the newborn should be evaluated for hereditary hearing
impairment. Advancements are rapidly being made in the ability to detect ge
nes that cause hearing impairment, and we are now on the threshold of disco
vering ways to use gene therapy to prevent or treat hereditary deafness.