HEPHL1 and otitis media: These 12 variants were found in the following genes: APBB1IP, ARID3A, BHLHE41, C5AR1, CPT1B, CRYBG1, FAM227A, HEPHL1, RAB5A, RGS22, RTN4, and SPTLC3. All 12 genes are novel and have not been previously reported for DNA variants that confer human susceptibility to otitis media or cholesteatoma.