Usher Syndrome: Causes, Types and Treatment Options
Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2015/09/18 - Updated: 2026/02/18
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Disability - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive medical overview of Usher syndrome, a rare inherited disorder that affects approximately 4 in 100,000 births in developed countries and stands as a leading cause of deaf-blindness. The article draws its authority from established medical knowledge about this autosomal recessive genetic condition, detailing the three distinct types based on severity and progression patterns, from Type 1's profound congenital deafness and early vision loss to Type 3's gradual onset of symptoms.
What makes this resource particularly valuable for families, medical professionals, and individuals with disabilities is its practical approach - explaining not just the underlying genetic mechanisms involving mutations in up to 10 different genes that affect the retina's rods and cones and the cochlear nerve cells, but also walking readers through the diagnostic process using balance, hearing, and vision tests, while outlining realistic treatment options including cochlear implants, hearing aids, sign language instruction, and orientation training.
The information emphasizes early diagnosis as critical for better outcomes, acknowledges that while no cure currently exists, children with Usher syndrome can live fulfilling lives with proper support, and provides specific guidance such as the research-backed recommendation for high-dose Vitamin A palmitate to potentially slow retinal degeneration, making it an essential reference for anyone navigating this challenging diagnosis - Disabled World (DW).
- Definition: Usher Syndrome
Usher syndrome is a rare inherited condition that affects both hearing and vision, making it the leading cause of combined deafness and blindness worldwide. It is caused by mutations in any one of several genes responsible for the normal development and function of sensory cells in the inner ear and retina. People born with Usher syndrome typically experience sensorineural hearing loss from birth or early childhood, followed by a progressive deterioration of vision due to retinitis pigmentosa - a degenerative disease of the retina that gradually destroys the light-sensitive cells responsible for peripheral and, eventually, central vision. The condition is classified into three main types - Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 - based on the severity of hearing loss, the presence or absence of balance problems, and the age at which vision loss begins. There is currently no cure, though researchers continue to explore gene therapy and other emerging treatments that may one day slow or halt the progression of the disease.
Introduction
Usher syndrome is named for the British eye surgeon who first described it in the year 1914. Usher syndrome is a relatively rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in any one of 10 genes resulting in a combination of hearing loss and visual impairment, and is a leading cause of deaf-blindness. Other names for Usher syndrome include Hallgren syndrome, Usher-Hallgren syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa-dysacusis syndrome, and dystrophia retinae dysacusis syndrome.
Main Content
Scientists have identified three types of Usher syndrome; 1, 2 and 3. Babies with Usher syndrome are born hard-of-hearing or deaf. Vision loss associated with the syndrome develops during childhood or adolescence.
The different types of Usher syndrome are divided by the degree of a person's vision and hearing loss, whether balance issues are present, and the age when the affected person's vision loss happens.
Within the three main types of Usher syndrome there are individual differences in how rapidly the condition progresses and symptoms. Between 3-6% of all children who are deaf and 3-6% of children who are hard-of-hearing have Usher syndrome. In developed countries such as America, approximately 4 babies in 100,000 born experience Usher syndrome.
Types of Usher Syndrome
Of the three types of Usher syndrome, Type 1 and Type 2 are the most common in America. These two types account for approximately 95% of all instances of Usher syndrome. What follows are descriptions of the different types of Usher syndrome.
Usher Syndrome, Type 1
Babies born with Type 1 Usher syndrome are almost entirely deaf at the time of their birth. They experience severe balance issues, sit without support at a later age than average and are late walkers. Children with Type 1 Usher syndrome experience night vision loss followed by vision issues prior to the age of ten. The loss of vision rapidly progresses to complete blindness. People with this type of Usher syndrome do not benefit from the use of hearing aids.
Usher Syndrome Type 2
Babies born with Type 2 Usher syndrome have average balance, experience moderate to severe hearing loss at the time of their birth and might benefit from using hearing aids. They develop night vision issues during adolescence, do not experience complete blindness and the disorder progresses more slowly.
Usher Syndrome Type 3
Babies born with Type 3 Usher syndrome have average hearing at the time they are born. They have almost average balance, although at times balance issues appear later on. Babies with Type 3 Usher syndrome experience gradual vision and hearing loss, although the rate of loss differs among children. Hearing loss becomes apparent by adolescence. Children with this type of Usher syndrome experience night blindness beginning in puberty, blind spots by their late teens or young adulthood, as well as complete blindness by middle age.
Causes of Usher syndrome
Scientists now know that Usher syndrome is an inherited disorder, meaning it is passed from parents to their children and is caused by changes or, 'mutations,' in genes. Genes are the chemically coded instructions in cells that tell cells what to do. A person's body contains 20,000-25,000 genes. Each person has two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Usher syndrome is an, 'autosomal recessive disorder,' meaning:
- Both females and males may be affected
- A baby may receive either the mutated gene, or the average one from each parent
- Both parents carry a mutated gene yet do not experience Usher syndrome themselves
A child who receives a mutated gene from each parent will experience Usher syndrome. The chance that a child of two parents who each have an Usher syndrome gene will experience Usher syndrome is around 1 in 4.
A person's retina is a tissue at the back of their eye that is needed for vision. The gene mutation in Usher syndrome affects the retina's light-sensing cells called, 'rods,' and, 'cones.' The condition is called, 'retinitis pigmentosa (RP).' With RP, the retina's light-sensing rods and cones slowly degrade, beginning at the outer edges. As RP worsens, the person loses their peripheral vision first, followed by loss of central vision.
Where Usher syndrome and causes of hearing loss is concerned, the cochlea is involved. The cochlea is a spiral structure in a person's inner ear that transmits sound. In Usher syndrome, the gene mutation affects the person's nerve cells in the cochlea so they do not transmit sound as they otherwise might.
Diagnosing Usher Syndrome
Usher syndrome is diagnosed based upon vision, hearing and balance testing. Testing for the Usher gene can confirm the diagnosis, yet is usually unnecessary. Genetic testing for different types of Usher syndrome is available at a number of laboratories in America. What follows are descriptions of different tests for Usher syndrome.
Balance Testing
An, 'electronystagmogram (ENG),' measures the person's involuntary eye movement, something that may detect balance issues.
Hearing Testing
Nearly every infant born in America has a hearing test at the time of their birth. Babies who do not pass the newborn hearing test should have genetic testing performed to discover whether or not they have an Usher syndrome gene. Older children, adolescents or young adults with hearing loss should receive an audiology evaluation, an exam that measures how loud a sound must be before the person affected hears it.
Vision Testing
Usher syndrome might go undiagnosed until the child or the child's parents notice a loss of night vision. The loss of night vision happens before the age of ten in Type 1, or during adolescence in Type 2. Vision testing includes a physical examination of the person's retina. The examination may detect changes in blood vessels, clumps of dead retinal cells, or a waxy appearance to the retina's surface. Visual field testing measures peripheral vision. An electroretinogram (ERG) is an examination that confirms the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa and also the retina's response to light. Due to the fact that the test requires insertion of a contact lens, general anesthesia is used in young children.
A pediatrician has the ability to answer a number of the questions parents of children with Usher syndrome have. The questions parents often have concern their child's physical growth and development. It is important to ask a pediatrician to refer you to vision and hearing specialists as soon as possible. The earlier a child begins working with these specialists, the more easily the child can learn to communicate with sign language, speak, and manage both vision and hearing loss.
Treating Usher Syndrome
While there is a good amount of research on Usher syndrome, a cure remains elusive. Treatment concentrates on helping the child to adapt to vision and hearing loss so they may enjoy life as much as possible. Options for treating Usher syndrome include the following:
- Hearing aids
- Auditory training
- Cochlear implants
- Braille instruction
- Low-vision services
- American Sign Language
- Assistive listening devices
- Orientation and mobility training
A long-term study from the Foundation for Fighting Blindness and the National Eye Institute showed that high doses of Vitamin A palmitate may slow down changes in an affected person's eye because of retinitis pigmentosa. If you are considering giving your child Vitamin A, consult your child's vision specialist beforehand.
While there is currently no cure for Usher syndrome, children with the disorder can live full and happy lives with the assistance of training and educational programs that meet their needs. Early diagnosis of Usher syndrome is extremely important because the earlier a child receives the help they need, the better prepared they are to manage their vision and hearing loss.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The reality of Usher syndrome reminds us that rare genetic conditions, though affecting a small percentage of the population, demand our sustained attention and resources. As research continues to unravel the complexities of the 10 genes involved in this disorder, families living with Usher syndrome today rely on early intervention, adaptive technologies, and educational strategies that have evolved significantly since the condition was first described in 1914. The path from diagnosis to adaptation requires coordinated care across multiple specialties - audiology, ophthalmology, genetics, and rehabilitation - underscoring the importance of comprehensive support systems that recognize both the medical and practical dimensions of progressive sensory loss. For the broader community, understanding conditions like Usher syndrome helps build awareness about the diverse experiences within the deaf-blind population and the ongoing need for accessible environments, communication options, and research funding that could one day transform prognosis from management to cure - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has providing care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.