An article in the British Medical Journal reveals that some people have a genetic mutation which means they are more at risk of hearing loss after taking antibiotics called aminoglycosides.

The writers, from the Institute of Child Health, explain that aminoglycosides are valuable antibiotics for such serious infections as complicated urinary tract infections, tuberculosis and septicemia. They are known to potentially cause damage to the ear (otoxicity). However, what isn't well known is that there are people who have an inherited predisposition that makes them extremely sensitive to the effects - they can end up with severe and permanent hearing loss. Screening patients for this genetic mutation, which about 1 in 40,000 people in the UK have, may reduce the incidence of deafness in these indivduals.

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