Background: Non-syndromic hearing loss is the most genetically heterogeneous trait known in humans. To date, 54 loci for autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSSHL) have been identified by linkage analysis.
Methods: In this study a German pedigree has been identified segregating a progressive bilateral loss of lower and middle frequencies.
Results: A genome-wide screening and linkage analysis revealed the existence of a new NSSHL locus (DFNA57). The phenotype was mapped to a 10 degrees Mbp interval on chromosome 19p13.2 from 7.8 to 18.2 degrees Mbp, a maximum 2-point LOD score of 3.08 was obtained for the marker D19S586. The region overlaps with the recessive locus DFNB15.
Conclusion: The results underline the heterogeneity of hereditary hearing disorders. Identification of genes can help to reach a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of hearing.