Evenings with Genetics looks at new hearing loss research

Many factors can contribute to hearing loss in children and adults, including genetic, environmental and age-related influences. On Tuesday, April 9, Evenings with Genetics, a monthly speaker series hosted by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, will highlight causes of hearing loss, hearing conditions and research aimed at restoring hearing.

Dr. Daryl Scott, associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor, and Dr. Andy Groves, professor of neuroscience and molecular and human genetics at Baylor, will speak about the latest research and therapies contributing to our understanding of conditions of hearing. A special guest speaker also will provide a parental perspective.

“At least 50 percent of retirees report some kind of hearing loss. In addition to the frustration and social isolation that hearing loss causes, new evidence suggests that hearing loss may also be a risk factor for dementia,” Groves said. “In our Evenings with Genetics meeting, we will introduce the audience to how we hear, what goes wrong with our ears and brain when we lose our hearing, and how scientists at Baylor and around the world are trying to better identify causes and therapies for hearing loss."

The Evenings with Genetics series offers current information regarding care, education and research as they relate to genetic disorders and encourages networking within the community by connecting patients and their families with others in similar situations.

“Participants will learn how hearing works and how physicians and geneticists use physical features and genetic tests to learn what is causing hearing loss in children, youth and adults. There will be time to ask questions and learn more about how we can help individuals with hearing loss interact and communicate with others,” said Scott.

The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The seminar will be held at the Children’s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St., 77004. Light refreshments will be provided beginning at 6:30 p.m., and the seminar will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 832-822-4280 or visit the event’s registration page. Captioning will be provided.