Waardenburg syndrome is a group of genetic conditions that can lead to hearing loss and changes in hair, skin and eye color (Genetics 2013). Cases of Waardenburg syndrome are not very common. There are different types of symptoms of the syndrome. Waardenburg syndrome can be inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive pattern (Calendar 2013). Ways to diagnose Waardenburg syndrome include certain tests to detect the disorder. Although Waardenburg syndrome cannot be cured, treatments can be given to reduce its effects. Like other diseases, Waardenburg syndrome has certain symptoms, inheritance patterns, diagnoses, and treatments. Waardenburg syndrome affects a person's hearing, pigmentation, facial features along with other defects. There are also four different types of Waardenburg syndrome. There may be little or no chance of hearing loss, although people with Waardenburg syndrome may have profound hearing loss (Genetics 2013). Hearing loss can occur in one or both ears and occurs at birth. People with Waardenburg syndrome typically have blue eyes or even different colored eyes. Those affected may also have white or gray patches of hair at a young age (MedlinePlus 2013). The symptoms and effects of Waardenburg syndrome appear to be different for each individual person with the disorder. Some symptoms of Waardenburg syndrome include pale skin, hair, and eyes, patches of white/gray hair, finger contractures, hearing loss, and different colored eyes (heterochromia). Other symptoms include numerous minor abnormalities and abnormal facial features (MedlinePlus 2013). Some symptoms, such as widely spaced eyes in type I, depend on the type of Waardenburg syndrome diagnosed in a person with... middle of paper... order itself is genetic counseling. In genetic counseling, patients meet with a genetic counselor in a hospital or some other healthcare facility. (Calendar 2013) Waardenburg syndrome is a rare genetic disease, meaning it is caused by a gene mutation. The disorder is classified as type I, II, III, or IV based on the inheritance pattern and symptoms (Genetics 2013). Waardenburg syndrome is an incurable disease inherited from one or both parents. If it comes from one parent, it is an autosomal dominant pattern, while if it comes from both, it is known as an autosomal recessive pattern (Calendar 2013). Hearing loss, abnormalities in pigmentation of hair, eyes and skin, and other minor defects are some symptoms of Waardenburg syndrome. There are many ways to diagnose the disorder and also many treatments for its symptoms.