I. What is drug-related deafness? It is called drug-related deafness when hearing is impaired or even deaf after using aminoglycoside antibiotics or other drugs because of cold or infection. Is drug-related deafness hereditary? Research has shown that mitochondrial gene mutations, such as c.1555A>G, are sensitive to ototoxic drugs and are an important cause of drug deafness, because mitochondrial gene mutations can be passed on to offspring, so drug deafness is hereditary. How is drug deafness inherited? Drug-related deafness is inherited in a matrilineal manner, because the mitochondria in human basically originate from the egg, so the mutated mitochondria originate from the mother, that is, they are passed from mother to offspring. How to prevent it? If there is a mitochondrial mutation, you need to be careful with medications when you are sick, especially not ototoxic drugs, to avoid hearing damage.