SaintLucifer said:
The 'damaged' gene is passed on to the child. That damaged gene therefore destroys that child's hearing.
Exactly. Although the damaged gene is more a contributing factor in hearing loss, because it is the result of damage in the gene itself, the damaged gene makes it a genetic disorder. And genetic disorders can be hereditary.
Outside influences are considered to be factors that happen outside of the gene sequence. Some common
outside influences are:
Age: Aging is the most common cause of hearing loss.
Disease: Meningitis, Meniere's syndrome, benign growths, and tumors on the hearing nerve can cause hearing loss, as can viral infections such as mumps and measles.
Drugs: Some drugs and antibiotics can cause damage to hair cells in the inner ear and the auditory nerve. Some of these drugs include, but are not limited too, quinine, aminoglycosides, diuretics and large doses of aspirin.
Infections: Otitis media is a middle-ear infection characterized by the formation of fluid in the middle ear. This can be caused by allergies, head colds, inflamed tonsils and adenoids, blocked eustachian tubes, sore throats and viruses.
Noise: Noise exposure (hunting, factory/plant noise, engine noise) can cause permanent hearing loss.
Perforation: Perforation of the eardrum can be caused by a change in air pressure associated with flying or scuba diving, a foreign object such as a cotton swab used to clean the ears, or pressure caused by a middle-ear infection.
Wax: Wax can build up in the ear canal, stopping sound from passing through the ear canal. A physician, nurse or audiologist can periodically remove the ear wax. (Cotton swabs or sharp objects should never be used to clean the ears because they can push the wax deeper into the ear and may puncture the eardrum).
You're still a moron, but there just might be some hope for you yet.