Genetics of hearing

The hearing impairment burden among newborns in Sub-Saharan Africa is three times higher than the global average, according to the African Academy of Sciences. Usually, if more than one person in a family is born deaf, the hearing loss is said to be familial or simply: it runs in the family. However, with genetic testing and counselling, it is possible for families with such a history to identify early and get the necessary medical and social support. From Ghana, the BBC's Dorcas Wangira reports.