Pure tone hearing thresholds and speech recognition scores in Dutch patients carrying mutations in the USH2A gene.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the audiometric profile and speech recognition characteristics in 36 Usher IIa patients, carrying one (A) or two (B) pathogenic mutations in the gene.


METHODS
Family study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Thirty six Usher IIa patients from 21 Dutch families.


METHODS
Ophthalmologic, vestibular, and audiometric examinations were performed on all patients. Cross-sectional analysis was performed on pure tone threshold data at 0.25 to 8 kHz and on speech phoneme recognition scores. Progression was evaluated using linear regression analysis on raw and presbyacusis corrected data.


RESULTS
A downsloping audiogram was found, with a mean threshold slope of -9 dB per octave, that was mildly progressive, i.e., by approximately 0.5 dB per year. Individual monaural maximum phoneme recognition scores (% correct) were analyzed in 30 patients in relation to the patient's age and level of hearing impairment characterized by a pure tone average (PTA(1-4 kHz)). The speech recognition score started to deteriorate from a score of 90% at 38 years at a rate of 0.4% per year. The 90% level was attained at 69 dB hearing level (PTA(1-4 kHz)); at higher levels of impairment, the score deteriorated at a slope of 0.6% per dB hearing level. There was no significant difference between group A and B in pure tone threshold, with or without presbyacusis correction, or phoneme recognition score as related to age or PTA(1-4 kHz).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with various mutations in have moderate to severe hearing impairment showing mild progression at approximately 0.5 dB hearing level per year.
Pennings
Ronald J E
RJ
Departmentof Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Radboud, Nijegen, The Netherlands. r.pennings@kno.azn.nl
Huygen
Patrick L M
PL
Weston
Michael D
MD
van Aarem
Annelies
A
Wagenaar
Mariette
M
Kimberling
William J
WJ
Cremers
Cor W R J
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010700:Phonetics; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013577:Syndrome
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; C112735:USH2A protein, human