Audiological characteristics of the Monge family of Costa Rica

• Main Author: Moulton, Christine
• Format: Others
• Published: PDXScholar 1983
• Subjects: Monge family; Deafness > Genetic aspects; Genetics; Speech Pathology and Audiology
• Online Access: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3343; https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4358&context=open_access_etds

The audiological characteristics of the Monge family of Costa Rica were investigated in a sample of fifty-two affected members and twelve unaffected members. Through laboratory analysis by staff personnel from the University of Costa Rica and audiological test results obtained in the present investigation, it was concluded that affected Monge members demonstrate a slowly progressive low frequency sensorineural hearing loss of autosomal dominant transmission. The initial site of lesion appears to be the apical portion of the cochlea, with significant onset occurring during early childhood following normal speech and language acquisition. The rate at which the hearing loss progresses and the frequency regions affected are contingent upon chronological age, culminating in a flat profound hearing impairment by age thirty for all affected members.