Center for Adult-Onset Hearing Loss
Specialized expertise for adults with hereditary hearing loss
If you’re experiencing progressive hearing loss or have difficulty communicating due to hearing problems, you’re not alone. About half of adults over 60 years old develop some form of hearing loss as they age.
At Penn Medicine audiology, hearing, and balance, we understand that hearing loss affects more than your ability to hear sounds. It can also present challenges at work and in social situations, and it can harm your mental health and overall well-being.
Our Center for Adult-Onset Hearing Loss in Philadelphia, the first of its kind in the country, is dedicated to the unique needs of older adults with hereditary hearing loss. Our mission is to identify the genetic causes of adult-onset hearing loss, research new treatments, and provide genetic counseling for people with the condition. A skilled team of audiologists, otologists, genetic counselors, geneticists, and members of the Penn Medicine BioBank work together to provide exceptional care.
Individualized testing and diagnosis for adult-onset hearing loss
Researchers at the Center for Adult-Onset Hearing Loss use specialized tests to identify genetic markers of hearing loss. If hearing loss is in your genes, we can better predict how you might experience hearing loss and select the treatments most likely to be effective. Genetic testing helps us make your care plan more targeted and individualized.
Early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss may even slow its progression and reduce the likelihood of related health problems, such as depression or dementia. We can also use genetic testing to predict the likelihood of hearing loss in your children and grandchildren.
If you have symptoms of hearing loss or a family history of hearing loss, it may be time to talk to a specialist about genetic testing.
Before your appointment, you may want to talk with family members to find out if hearing loss runs in your family. We’ll collect a three-generation family tree that includes your children, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. If you’re enrolled in MyChart by myPennMedicine, you’ll receive a message asking you to provide information about your family history. Please complete the relevant information in a return message to the sender.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. You don’t need to fast in preparation for the blood or saliva sample collection.
During your appointment, you’ll meet with a board-certified genetic counselor who will review your medical and family history. They’ll also explain the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing so you can decide whether you want to be tested.
Meeting with a genetic counselor doesn’t mean you’re obligated to have genetic testing. The choice is personal, and our staff is here to support your decision. You’ll also have the opportunity to enroll in the Penn Medicine BioBank, a repository of blood and tissue samples that help our scientists study diseases and develop new treatments.
If you decide to proceed with genetic testing, your otologist will do a brief physical exam and answer any questions you may have. We take blood and saliva samples for testing.
The entire appointment lasts about an hour. We usually receive your results in four to six weeks. A genetic counselor will contact you to review the results.
Most health insurance plans cover clinical genetic testing, but coverage varies based on your insurance type and plan. Before testing, we review your insurance. Your genetic counselor will discuss your coverage and any anticipated out-of-pocket costs. Self-pay options are available if your insurance doesn’t cover testing. Enrollment in the Penn Medicine BioBank is available at no cost.
Potential risks of genetic testing include:
- Genetic testing doesn’t reveal the cause of every person’s hearing loss.
- Not all genetic variants are well-understood, so you could receive an “uncertain” result.
- You may learn that you’re at risk of other health concerns through genetic testing.
Adult hearing loss treatment and services at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine offers a full range of hearing aids and implantable devices for adults with hearing loss. Our audiologists conduct comprehensive hearing evaluations and work closely with industry-leading manufacturers to bring you as many options as possible for improved hearing. We work with you to select the best device for your needs and offer additional services such as fittings, adjustments, maintenance, and repair.
We also have one of the oldest and largest implantable hearing device programs in the region. Our implant audiologists, neurotologic surgeons, and speech-language pathologists have extensive experience with cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids. Implanted devices can improve hearing and communication for people with profound hearing loss or deafness.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.