The Potential of Preventing the Most Common Non-Genetic Cause of Hearing Loss with a Vaccine featuring Lori Panther, MD

Approximately 40% of early childhood hearing loss and deafness can be attributed to a virus known as cytomegalovirus, usually referred to as CMV. If a pregnant individual contracts CMV, it can be transmitted to the fetus in-utero. Approximately 1 out of every 200 babies is born with CMV of which 90% will present as asymptomatic and will likely go unidentified. Of those it is estimated that 10-15% will experience hearing loss which may be present at birth or develop later in life. CMV is the most common non-genetic cause of hearing loss. In this episode of EarWorm, we will be talking about ways to mitigate the effects of CMV in the early childhood population, with a special focus on a new vaccine that is under investigation. Host: William Eiserman, Ph.D.