"Let everyone hear the sound of lang lang", the first phase of the deafness prevention and control pilot project Shenzhen station activity was held

"We hope to find new hope through this sharing session." A parent of a hearing impaired family in Shenzhen said. On December 18th, the first phase of the Shenzhen Station activity of "Prevention and Treatment of Deafness, Gene First - DeafNess Prevention and Control Pilot Project" jointly organized by China Association for the Deaf, Shenzhen Association for the Deaf, Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital and BGI Gene was held in Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital.

The scene of the event Wasu nan + Zhang Xiujuan was filmed

Genetic testing technology can quickly find the genetic gene of deaf disease

Hereditary deafness refers to deafness caused by genetic mutations, is one of the most important causes of deafness, disease types include large vestibular water tube syndrome, acquired high-frequency hearing loss, drug-sensitive deafness, acoustic neuropathy, etc. Some patients do not show hearing loss at birth, but have hearing loss after head concussion trauma or contact with drugs.

It is understood that in 2021, the World Health Organization released the first-ever World Hearing Report, calling for global action to protect hearing health. There are 20.54 million people with hearing disabilities in China, and 30,000-60,000 new hearing-impaired children are born every year, of which more than 80% of deaf children are born by parents with normal hearing, which is manifested as hereditary deafness.

Genetic testing technology can efficiently and quickly find the genetic genes of deafness, realize the early detection and early intervention of children with progressive or late-onset deafness and high-risk drug-sensitive deafness, and can effectively prevent and control the occurrence and development of deafness. At the same time, for relatives of hearing disabled people, a large number of deaf susceptibility gene carriers can be found, thus finding high-risk groups of deafness beyond the conventional screening mode.

In order to fully protect the health of the hearing disabled group and comprehensively promote the prevention of hearing disability in the whole population and the whole life cycle, the "Prevention of Deafness and Cure of Deafness, Gene First" activity starts from Shenzhen and provides free hereditary genetic testing for the hearing disabled and immediate family members of the hearing disabled who are registered in Shenzhen (including those who are registered in Shenzhen and live in Shenzhen), and uses the power of genetic technology to protect the health of the hearing disabled group. 23 hearing impaired families participated in the charity event, 50 blood samples were collected, and the test results will be detected within two weeks.

Change the awareness of screening and intervene proactively in advance

"Genetic screening for hereditary deafness is a new project with significant and positive effects on the prevention of hearing disability following cochlear implantation." Yang Yang, chairman of the China Association for the Deaf, introduced that for the first time, people face deafness from passive intervention and treatment after only illness to active prevention and avoidance in advance. "If this work can be carried out more broadly and deeply, it can benefit more families."

It is reported that BGI has been conducting hearing impaired gene research for ten years, and 218 hearing impaired related gene loci have been discovered. "Due to the large number of samples and the large number of gene loci, BGI has the highest accuracy and the cheapest price for deaf gene screening in the industry." Zhu Yanmei, executive director of BGI Group, said.

"At present, the incidence of deafness in Shenzhen is between one in a thousand and three thousandths, and if marriageable men and women do this genetic screening before marriage, it can be a good way to avoid giving birth to deaf babies." In addition, prenatal ultrasound and third-generation IVF are also good window periods and prevention methods for each stage. Yao Jilong, president of Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, said. We're not ultimately trying to treat disease, but we're asking people to change the way they screen for health. ”

"Therefore, we suggest that after the deaf child is born, it is best to intervene from the first day and use medical means to assist in time, so that the child can still work and live like a normal person." Zhu Yanmei said.

It is reported that BGI will provide a full range of genetic test report interpretation for the subjects participating in this public welfare activity free of charge, provide clinical diagnosis for patients with hereditary deafness, and provide scientific basis for fertility guidance, disease risk assessment and early prevention for the hearing disabled and their relatives with marital and childbearing needs. Zhu Yanmei said that it is expected that with the joint efforts of many parties, Shenzhen can become a benchmark city for the prevention and control of deafness, so that everyone can hear the sound of Loud.

[Reporter] Zhang Xiujuan

【Author】 Zhang Xiujuan

【Source】 Southern Press Media Group South + client