Khaomanee — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Congenital deafness associated with the white coat
The dominant white gene that produces the Khao Manee's all-white coat — a requirement of the breed standard — can also affect pigment-dependent cells in the inner ear, and white cats with blue eyes are more likely to be born deaf in one or both ears than differently coloured cats. CFA's own breed profile notes this association directly and states that breeders sometimes use the occasional off-standard, non-white kitten (which cannot be shown) for breeding to help reduce the rate of deaf kittens.
Ask to see: BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) hearing test on the kitten or parents; there is no DNA test for the deafness itself
CFA — Khao Manee breed profile (https://cfa.org/breed/khao-manee/)