At the speed of sound: Gene discovery in the auditory system

As auditory genes and deafness-associated mutations are discovered at a rap id rate, exciting opportunities have arisen to uncover the molecular mechan isms underlying hearing and hearing impairment. Single genes have been iden tified to be pathogenic for dominant or recessive forms of nonsyndromic hea ring loss, syndromic hearing loss, and, in some cases, even multiple forms of hearing loss. Modifier loci and genes have been found, and investigation s into their role in the hearing process will yield valuable insight into t he fundamental processes of the auditory system.