Inheriting Hearing Loss

The following article recounts a lifetime experience with an inheritable disorder not uncommonly seen by otolaryngologists—progressive sensorineural hearing loss. The author, Donna L. Sorkin, relates her insights into the disorder's effect on generations of her family, and its impact on her as a daughter, wife, mother, and professional consultant. She has refused to be limited by the impairment and now provides national leadership as the new Executive Director of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc, an organization dedicated to enhancing autonomy among its hearing-impaired members. The author has faced a challenge she had no choice but to accept and found some workable solutions. It is our hope that biomedical advances will afford more and better solutions for Ms Sorkin, and others who are joined in similar challenges.