Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Raye Lynn Alford, Ph.D., FACMG

The Molecular Genetic Basis of Hearing Loss:

Hearing loss can occur at any age. In some cases, hearing loss is caused by exposure to environmental risk factors such as excessive noise, certain infectious agents, ototoxic medications or trauma. In other cases, hearing loss is caused by changes in genes called mutations. In recent years, dozens of genes that cause hearing loss have been discovered.

In my laboratory, we are working to identify genes and mutations that cause hearing loss, and compare the different types of hearing loss caused by various genes. The purpose of this work is to facilitate the detection and diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss in the doctor’s office. In addition, we are studying how patients with various types of hereditary hearing loss respond to standard interventions such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. This knowledge will allow doctors to personalize hearing intervention strategies for individual patients.

Another interest of my laboratory is the development of advanced technologies for genetic testing. Because of the large number of genes that cause hearing loss, we are working to develop technologies that will permit laboratories to test multiple genes at reasonable cost.

Patient Resources:

Genetics Resources
Books:
Genetics & Your Health: A Guide for the 21st Century Family by Raye Lynn Alford, Ph.D., FACMG

Web sites:
Genetics Home Reference, National Library of Medicine
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Human Genome Project Information, Department of Energy
The American College of Medical Genetics
National Society of Genetic Counselors
The Genetic Alliance

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©2001-2007 Baylor College of Medicine
Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Mail: One Baylor Plaza, NA102, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-5906
E-mail: oto@bcm.edu

Last modified: Dec. 11, 2007