TOBIOJ The Open Biology Journal Open Bio. J. 1874-1967 Bentham Open TOBIOJ-2-80 10.2174/1874196700902010080 Biology Nonsyndromic Deafness - Molecular Update V.B Piatto * 1 L.V. Secches 1 M.A.S. Arroyo 1 A.C.P. Lopes 2 J.V. Maniglia 1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil Department of Morphology, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São Paulo, Brazil Address correspondence to this author at the Rua Santina Figliagi Ceccato, 450 Ap-23A, Vila Itália, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Zip Code: 15035-180; Tel: +55-17-3201-5747; E-mail: vabp@bol.com.br, vabp@ig.com.br 27 8 2009 2009 2 80 90 30 04 2009 09 06 2009 11 06 2009 © 2009 V.B et al. 2009 Piatto V.B

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In most cases, hearing loss is a disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The molecular description of deafness has experienced remarkable progress in the last decade, and it is emerging from the use of contemporary methods of cell and molecular biology. Currently, through the application of clinical and molecular genetics it is possible to identify genes associated with inherited, nonsyndromic deafness, and balance dysfunctions of the human cochlea. This brief review provides insights into nonsyndromic hearing loss, since the identification of the molecular basis for the inner ear function provides the basis for developing rational new approaches to diagnosis, management and treatment of auditory and vestibular disorders.

 Keywords Nonsyndromic Nonsyndromic sensorineural molecular genetics gene