OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of a large family with late-onset, progressive autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss.

METHODSCollections of detail history hereditary features, physical and audiological examination were performed. After mutation screening of GJB2, SLC26A4, MTRNR1 (12SrRNA) genes by Sanger sequencing, the proband was investigated by targeted next-generation sequencing of 79 deafness genes.

RESULTSThis family included seven generations and 73 members. Eleven persons with hearing loss and 11 normal-hearing persons participated in this study. All affected members but one exhibited late-onset, progressive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss; the ages of onset were between 9 and 30 years. Mutation screening by sanger-sequencing and targeted next-generation sequencing excluded the possibility of pathogenic mutations within known deafness gene.

CONCLUSIONSA Chinese family with late-onset progressive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss was investigated clinically and genetically. By candidate gene approach and targeted next-generation sequencing, this family was preliminary proved to be caused by unknown deafness gene.