Question About the Possibility of Having Deaf Children

ktmartell · 02-20-2011, 07:30 PM

Hi All Deaf. This seems like a really cool community over here.

Lately I have been thinking about the possibility of me having deaf children. I am hearing and my sister is hearing, my father is hearing and there is no history of deafness in his family, but my mother and her brother are deaf.

I was wondering if anyone knows or might be able to guess the chances of me having a deaf child. I know it's probably nearly impossible to answer, but I thought I'd ask.

Also, where should I look to find an exact answer as to the chances? Would my family doctor be alright, or do I need to contact some kind of specialist?

Thanks everyone.

posts from hell · 02-21-2011, 03:08 PM

Want a deaf child?

**shel90** · 02-21-2011, 03:22 PM

Need to go to Gallaudet University and get genetic testing or get one done by a local doctor if one is available.

Oceanbreeze · 02-21-2011, 04:28 PM

Only way to know for sure is through genetic testing. There are genes that cause deafness; among them are the Connexin genes 26; 30. There are also syndromes that people are born with that can cause deafness such as Usher's Syndrome.

However, there are a lot more people who are deaf via aquired means. Some were born hearing but went deaf through illness; others were exposed to German measles or CMV in utero.

**Bottesini** · 02-21-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

Want a deaf child?

Sure, do you have an extra?

**shel90** · 02-21-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

Want a deaf child?

Yea, do you have one for me?

**Bottesini** · 02-21-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Yea, do you have one for me?

I said first!!!

whatdidyousay! · 02-21-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

Sure, do you have an extra?

I was so happy my baby was not born HOH ! I was worried that I would have a HOH child.

**shel90** · 02-21-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

I said first!!!

If he has more after giving one to you, then I want them! lol

**sallylou** · 02-21-2011, 07:47 PM

Gallaudet Genetic Center closed because of lack of funds.

**Bottesini** · 02-21-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I was so happy my baby was not born HOH ! I was worried that I would have a HOH child.

I think I looked like I would burst into tears when they just told me it seems my second grandchild just has a language delay from being the second child.

My older granddaughter greeted me Friday with a whole new bunch of signs she learned and her mother took me and the girls to dinner.

Not everybody would be sad if their child was deaf.

blank canvas · 02-21-2011, 08:42 PM

Well my girls are in the market for a Deaf brother... if you have any boys left

posts from hell · 02-21-2011, 08:43 PM

I only deposit locally.

whatdidyousay! · 02-21-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

I think I looked like I would burst into tears when they just told me it seems my second grandchild just has a language delay from being the second child.

My older granddaughter greeted me Friday with a whole new bunch of signs she learned and her mother took me and the girls to dinner.

Not everybody would be sad if their child was deaf.

I know my daughter is very happy that she was not born HOH! I have a very hard time understanding why any parents would want their baby to be born deaf or HOH! I have always felt this way and if I had a easier time growing up HOH I still would want my baby to able to hear! I did not say I would be sad . Do you mean you was sad because your second grandchild was not deaf or HOH?

blank canvas · 02-21-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

I only deposit locally.

Lining up the surrogates and sending them to boulder

posts from hell · 02-21-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktmartell

Hi All Deaf. This seems like a really cool community over here.

Lately I have been thinking about the possibility of me having deaf children. I am hearing and my sister is hearing, my father is hearing and there is no history of deafness in his family, but my mother and her brother are deaf.

I was wondering if anyone knows or might be able to guess the chances of me having a deaf child. I know it's probably nearly impossible to answer, but I thought I'd ask.

Also, where should I look to find an exact answer as to the chances? Would my family doctor be alright, or do I need to contact some kind of specialist?

Thanks everyone.

But in all seriousness -

How did your mom and her brother become deaf? If it was after birth... The chances are much less.

Anij · 02-21-2011, 08:53 PM

You'll want to get a referral to a genetic specialist as they are the ones that can get the tests run for you (via blood work). In Canada it's covered provided it's covered but in the USA etc I'm sure you'd have to pay for the testing etc.

The genetic testing can tell you if you carry the gene(s) that cause various types of deafness, and then once those results come back can counsel you (ie inform you) of the percentage likelyhood that you will or will not pass it/them on to a child. Of course the male you conceive a child with would also have to be tested to give a more accurate picture.

It's fairly common for couples who know they may/do carry genes which are linked to various medical conditions etc (deafness, MD, SMA, etc) to have genetic counselling.

Genetic counselling includes individual genetic testing, and then discussions with the specialists about the likelihood that a child would have/be a carrier of (a) specific condition(s), then discusses the options for proceeding with a pregnancy via natural or artificial conception means, and (in cases of life-threatening diseases) how soon testing can be done on the fetus/infant etc.

The advantage of Genetic testing is that it often give to-be-parents a few extra months to make choices, get any special supports etc in place prior to the birth, or shortly there after. While many of us see be Hoh/Deaf as a natural thing, there are serious life threatening conditions such as SMA , where the sooner you know that the child has (or in the case of fetus, will have) the disease, the more you can learn about management, care, doctors that know what they're doing (and who to avoid), and the better chance that the child will have a healthier, longer life.

blank canvas · 02-21-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I know my daughter is very happy that she was not born HOH! I have a very hard time understanding why any parents would want their baby to be born deaf or HOH! I have always felt this way and if I had a easier time growing up HOH I still would want my baby to able to hear! I did not say I would be sad . Do you mean you was sad because your second grandchild was not deaf or HOH?

To be very honest with you when I was pregnant with my youngest I not only hoped she would be born Deaf I also hoped she would have microtia

Why? Because I didn't know how to raise a hearing kid I was used to raising a deaf child and I was also afraid if she had 'normal' ears I would think they looked funny like I did about other peoples kids.

But I didn't I saw her as perfect just as I did my oldest. And I did find out that we needed to make a few changes like learning to be quiet when she was sleeping lol Funny thing is she cries that she wants to be deaf for a lot of reasons, she's only 5 and I am sure will grow out of it.

whatdidyousay! · 02-21-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blank canvas

To be very honest with you when I was pregnant with my youngest I not only hoped she would be born Deaf I also hoped she would have microtia

Why? Because I didn't know how to raise a hearing kid I was used to raising a deaf child and I was also afraid if she had 'normal' ears I would think they looked funny like I did about other peoples kids.

But I didn't I saw her as perfect just as I did my oldest. And I did find out that we needed to make a few changes like learning to be quiet when she was sleeping lol Funny thing is she cries that she wants to be deaf for a lot of reasons, she's only 5 and I am sure will grow out of it.

I can't believe you would want your baby to have microtia!

blank canvas · 02-21-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I can't believe you would want your baby to have microtia!

Ya I know from the outside looking in it seems bad, but my oldest daughter has it and when she was born all I saw was pure perfection and I was afraid that if my youngest didn't I wouldn't see that same perfection. When she was born I realized that I saw her as perfect too.

Its was a complicated thought that has long passed, both of my girls are amazing and flawless as far as I am concerned

posts from hell · 02-21-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blank canvas

Ya I know from the outside looking in it seems bad, but my oldest daughter has it and when she was born all I saw was pure perfection and I was afraid that if my youngest didn't I wouldn't see that same perfection. When she was born I realized that I saw her as perfect too.

Its was a complicated thought that has long passed, both of my girls are amazing and flawless as far as I am concerned

I can attest to her love towards her children. Her eyes brighten up every time she talks about her kids.

When I first saw her talking about her oldest having microtia it never dawned on me in its slightest that she thought the girl was less than perfect at all. Pretty awesome of her if you ask me.

***naisho*** · 02-21-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktmartell

Hi All Deaf. This seems like a really cool community over here.

Lately I have been thinking about the possibility of me having deaf children. I am hearing and my sister is hearing, my father is hearing and there is no history of deafness in his family, but my mother and her brother are deaf.

I was wondering if anyone knows or might be able to guess the chances of me having a deaf child. I know it's probably nearly impossible to answer, but I thought I'd ask.

Also, where should I look to find an exact answer as to the chances? Would my family doctor be alright, or do I need to contact some kind of specialist?

Thanks everyone.

Speak with someone who has a degree in molecular genetics if you're serious about conceiving or just curious or planning. Anyone with one can point you in the right direction. The closest person willing to help you free of charge (advice wise) is probably someone at the nearest state/private university.
Everything reproductive is always based on chance. If you have not been told this, probability in genetics is not how it will actually pan out. Chromosomal crossover during meiosis I is random and does not act on probability.

In other words, being told you have a 90% chance doesn't mean in 10 children you will have 9 deaf kids. You could have 10 hearing children. It is very similar to the concept of not knowing to expect a boy or girl.

***naisho*** · 02-21-2011, 11:35 PM

Here is something that may help you understand a little better in terms of genetics.

Assume that the deaf gene is represented by two homozygous recessive dd (two d's combined). Each case (1,2,3,4) represent different children. To acquire deafness, dd must be present after crossing over.

Thus, there is a 50% of obtaining the dd loci of 4 possibilities in this particular example, I think (not sure, forgot about this) the number of times the chromatids crossover is not a set amount. You could very well end up with a different case number than expected every time there is an offspring, which is the random part. These are just the basic biology representations that assume both chromatids are different like black and white. Actual genetics gets deeper than what I've described, by factoring the type of deafness, relatedness of the individuals, as well as their state of requiring homozygosity, etc.

marcyp06 · 02-21-2011, 11:45 PM

So im a bit late to the party here, but if we're still doling out deaf babies put me on the list! Ive got great rates on plane tickets and ill be wherever you need me! ;-D

ASLMommax2 · 02-22-2011, 01:51 AM

KTMartell, I just have to ask.......if there is that chance of having a child that may be Deaf would you reconsider having children???
I have to say, while pregnant with my 2nd daughter, I too was hoping that she would be Deaf just as her sister ( Yes WhatDidUSay I just spoke those words ) Living this Culture seeing my daughters every accomplishment, every joy, even every defeat, every leap, is something that every child should be able to say they lived. When our youngest was born and she "passed" her newborn screening I cried my eyes out, not because she was hearing but because she wasn't Deaf. And here we are now 2.5 years later and lo and behold she is D/HH just as her sister is. And now watching her accomplishments and her every leap is another joy that I get to live and get to receive on a daily basis, not by only 1 Deaf child but 2!!!!
( and BTW KTMartell - there is NO hearing loss w/in either of my husbands or my familys- our children are the one and only)

deafdyke · 02-22-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

hen I was pregnant with my youngest I not only hoped she would be born Deaf I also hoped she would have microtia

Why? Because I didn't know how to raise a hearing kid I was used to raising a deaf child and I was also afraid if she had 'normal' ears I would think they looked funny like I did about other peoples kids.

But I didn't I saw her as perfect just as I did my oldest. And I did find out that we needed to make a few changes like learning to be quiet when she was sleeping lol Funny thing is she cries that she wants to be deaf for a lot of reasons, she's only 5 and I am sure will grow out of it.

That is a VERY healthy way to raise a kid. Heck, I want Deaf kids too. Being Deaf is NOT that big of a deal. Was it hard? Yes, but it was hard b/c of the way people treated me, not b/c it's hard to be without hearing.
To me it's like being male or female or gay vs straight or white vs black or any other combonation.

ASLMommax2 · 02-23-2011, 06:16 AM

As I explain to anyone or everyone, professionals , peers outside of school, people we meet on the street who are enthralled watching the hands flying as we are in mid conversation. The only difference between my children and yours is that they speak a different language - just as 50- 75% of this counrty does

DURAY · 02-28-2011, 05:45 AM

If you have a deaf child, you may have to move locally to the nearest deaf school. Want that? Unless you're a KG or PKZ.....

**Bottesini** · 02-28-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DURAY

If you have a deaf child, you may have to move locally to the nearest deaf school. Want that? Unless you're a KG or PKZ.....

Your statement makes no sense. The OP is not deaf, nor have an ambition to work at a deaf school. How would you think KG or PKZ figure in to the equation of a hearing couple wondering if they would have deaf children?

marcyp06 · 02-28-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DURAY

If you have a deaf child, you may have to move locally to the nearest deaf school. Want that? Unless you're a KG or PKZ.....

I have every intention of moving so that my kids can attend deaf school. My childrens health and education are of very serious importance to me.

02-20-2011, 07:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
ktmartell Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1	Question About the Possibility of Having Deaf Children Hi All Deaf. This seems like a really cool community over here. Lately I have been thinking about the possibility of me having deaf children. I am hearing and my sister is hearing, my father is hearing and there is no history of deafness in his family, but my mother and her brother are deaf. I was wondering if anyone knows or might be able to guess the chances of me having a deaf child. I know it's probably nearly impossible to answer, but I thought I'd ask. Also, where should I look to find an exact answer as to the chances? Would my family doctor be alright, or do I need to contact some kind of specialist? Thanks everyone.

02-21-2011, 03:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
shel90 Let It Snow!!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,303 Blog Entries: 3	Need to go to Gallaudet University and get genetic testing or get one done by a local doctor if one is available. __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

02-21-2011, 04:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oceanbreeze Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: S. FL Posts: 9,967	Only way to know for sure is through genetic testing. There are genes that cause deafness; among them are the Connexin genes 26; 30. There are also syndromes that people are born with that can cause deafness such as Usher's Syndrome. However, there are a lot more people who are deaf via aquired means. Some were born hearing but went deaf through illness; others were exposed to German measles or CMV in utero. __________________ "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

02-21-2011, 07:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
sallylou Potterhead and Janeite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: My own private Idaho Posts: 6,653	Gallaudet Genetic Center closed because of lack of funds. __________________

02-21-2011, 08:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
blank canvas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lakewood, Co Posts: 761	Well my girls are in the market for a Deaf brother... if you have any boys left __________________ Keep your bike in good repair... Motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking

Today
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02-21-2011, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
posts from hell Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 9,434	Want a deaf child?

02-21-2011, 08:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
posts from hell Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 9,434	I only deposit locally.

02-21-2011, 08:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
Anij Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,087	You'll want to get a referral to a genetic specialist as they are the ones that can get the tests run for you (via blood work). In Canada it's covered provided it's covered but in the USA etc I'm sure you'd have to pay for the testing etc. The genetic testing can tell you if you carry the gene(s) that cause various types of deafness, and then once those results come back can counsel you (ie inform you) of the percentage likelyhood that you will or will not pass it/them on to a child. Of course the male you conceive a child with would also have to be tested to give a more accurate picture. It's fairly common for couples who know they may/do carry genes which are linked to various medical conditions etc (deafness, MD, SMA, etc) to have genetic counselling. Genetic counselling includes individual genetic testing, and then discussions with the specialists about the likelihood that a child would have/be a carrier of (a) specific condition(s), then discusses the options for proceeding with a pregnancy via natural or artificial conception means, and (in cases of life-threatening diseases) how soon testing can be done on the fetus/infant etc. The advantage of Genetic testing is that it often give to-be-parents a few extra months to make choices, get any special supports etc in place prior to the birth, or shortly there after. While many of us see be Hoh/Deaf as a natural thing, there are serious life threatening conditions such as SMA , where the sooner you know that the child has (or in the case of fetus, will have) the disease, the more you can learn about management, care, doctors that know what they're doing (and who to avoid), and the better chance that the child will have a healthier, longer life. __________________ Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD English & ASL ...PAH!! Ignorance is NOT Bliss

02-21-2011, 11:35 PM	#23 (permalink)
*naisho* Forum Disorders M.D.,Ph.D Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 6,162	Here is something that may help you understand a little better in terms of genetics. Assume that the deaf gene is represented by two homozygous recessive dd (two d's combined). Each case (1,2,3,4) represent different children. To acquire deafness, dd must be present after crossing over. Thus, there is a 50% of obtaining the dd loci of 4 possibilities in this particular example, I think (not sure, forgot about this) the number of times the chromatids crossover is not a set amount. You could very well end up with a different case number than expected every time there is an offspring, which is the random part. These are just the basic biology representations that assume both chromatids are different like black and white. Actual genetics gets deeper than what I've described, by factoring the type of deafness, relatedness of the individuals, as well as their state of requiring homozygosity, etc.

02-21-2011, 11:45 PM	#24 (permalink)
marcyp06 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ellensburg, WA Posts: 303	So im a bit late to the party here, but if we're still doling out deaf babies put me on the list! Ive got great rates on plane tickets and ill be wherever you need me! ;-D __________________ Aspiring interpreter (with an auditory processing disorder) becoming more Deaf-minded everyday. Love this culture.

02-22-2011, 01:51 AM	#25 (permalink)
ASLMommax2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 35	KTMartell, I just have to ask.......if there is that chance of having a child that may be Deaf would you reconsider having children??? I have to say, while pregnant with my 2nd daughter, I too was hoping that she would be Deaf just as her sister ( Yes WhatDidUSay I just spoke those words ) Living this Culture seeing my daughters every accomplishment, every joy, even every defeat, every leap, is something that every child should be able to say they lived. When our youngest was born and she "passed" her newborn screening I cried my eyes out, not because she was hearing but because she wasn't Deaf. And here we are now 2.5 years later and lo and behold she is D/HH just as her sister is. And now watching her accomplishments and her every leap is another joy that I get to live and get to receive on a daily basis, not by only 1 Deaf child but 2!!!! ( and BTW KTMartell - there is NO hearing loss w/in either of my husbands or my familys- our children are the one and only)

02-23-2011, 06:16 AM	#27 (permalink)
ASLMommax2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 35	As I explain to anyone or everyone, professionals , peers outside of school, people we meet on the street who are enthralled watching the hands flying as we are in mid conversation. The only difference between my children and yours is that they speak a different language - just as 50- 75% of this counrty does

02-28-2011, 05:45 AM	#28 (permalink)
DURAY Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 548	If you have a deaf child, you may have to move locally to the nearest deaf school. Want that? Unless you're a KG or PKZ.....

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