MITF and deafness: For instance, mutations in the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor gene (MITF) are associated with deafness in dogs2, Waardenburg syndrome type 23 (WS2A; MIM:193510) and Tietz albinism-deafness syndrome4 (TADS; MIM:103500) in humans, and reduced eye size and early-onset deafness in mice5.