Connexin 26 is a non-progressive mild-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment. There are no other medical findings associated with these mutations.
Disease frequency:
1 in 1,700 in Ashkenazi Jews, 1 in 7,000 for general population
Carrier frequency:
1 in 20 to 1 in 25 in Ashkenazi Jews, 1 in 35 in US Caucasian population.
Diagnosis:
DNA analysis detects >95% of deafness-causing mutations.
Inheritance:
Autosomal Recessive
Carrier testing:
Available through DNA mutation testing.
Prenatal diagnosis:
Available by DNA testing for couples with a previously affected child or to couples found to be at risk by carrier testing.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Toll-free, voice or TTY: 800-638-8255
Available 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET email: actioncenter@asha.org
