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Review
. 2024 May 3;41(3):161-166.
doi: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2024.2024-2-110.

Genetic Landscape of Hearing Loss in the Caribbean: A Narrative Review

LéShon Peart  1 , Mustafa Tekin  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Genetic Landscape of Hearing Loss in the Caribbean: A Narrative Review

LéShon Peart et al. Balkan Med J. .

Abstract

The Caribbean region has a diverse population of about 40 million people, spread over 13 sovereign states. This review aims to describe the existing studies on hereditary hearing loss (HL) in the Caribbean population. We systematically reviewed scientific articles on HL prevalence, genetic causes, technology use, and environmental effects in Caribbean nations and the Caribbean diaspora in the United States. Key findings show that HL rates, with diverse genetic variables, vary across Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Local resources and technology have been used to diagnose HL, particularly in rural areas. Environmental factors tend to affect HL prevalence in various regions. This literature review of Caribbean-focused studies helps guide future research and healthcare strategies, particularly concerning genetic drift caused by migration to the United States. Understanding these factors can help diagnose and treat HL in America's diverse population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the Caribbean Islands.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The allele counts are represented. Each dot and triangle represent an allele.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. GBD 2019 Hearing Loss Collaborators. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990-2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2021;397:996–1009. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Thorpe RK, Smith RJH. Future directions for screening and treatment in congenital hearing loss. Precis Clin Med. 2020;3:175–186. - PMC - PubMed

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