After screening for mutations ofthree prominent deafness-related genes (GJB2, SLC26A4and mtDNA 12S rRNA) in 235 patients with hearing loss in the Yunnanprovince of China, 35.74% of patients showed genetic involvement, and 17.45%, 9.79%, and8.51% of inherited hearing impairment were caused by GJB2,SLC26A4, and mtDNA 1555A > G mutations,respectively (Xin et al,. Here, SLC26A4 is linked to deafness.