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Usher Syndrome--Who is at Risk?

The first noticeable symptom of Usher syndrome is a sensorineural hearing loss. If the hearing loss is a result of any of the conditions listed below, the person is at low risk for Usher syndrome. There is always a small chance that Usher syndrome is a secondary cause of the hearing loss, but this is extremely rare.

While the individuals who have a hearing loss due to any of these conditions are at low risk for Usher syndrome, they may suffer a vision loss for other reasons. This makes it especially important to have regular, comprehensive eye exams.	Low Risk Causes
	Conductive loss Rubella (German Measles)
	Kidney disease
	Otitis Media
	Trauma/accident
	Scarring of the eardrum
	Genetic deafness*
	Noise-induced loss
	Auditory neuritis
	Oxotoxic drug therapy
	Diabetes
	Viral Infection
	Disease (i.e., Meningitis, Mumps, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Chicken Pox, Encephalitis)
	* The genes for deafness and for Usher syndrome are different. An individual at risk for Usher syndrome will probably not have another family member who is deaf, unless they too have Usher syndrome.

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