An analysis of auditory manifestations in a group of adult with AIDS prior to antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

The chief objective of the current study was to investigate the auditory status in a group of adults with AIDS before commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a hospital outpatient clinic in Gauteng, South Africa. A total sample of 150 participants, aged between 20 and 46 years, was assessed following a prospective qualitative research design. All participants underwent case history interviews and medical record reviews, otoscopy and tympanometry, as well as conventional pure tone audiometry testing. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data obtained. Prevalence, type, degree, configuration, and symmetry of the auditory manifestations; as well as type of onset of hearing loss and the possible causes of the auditory manifestations were analysed. Findings indicated that auditory manifestations in adults with AIDS are varied in nature and are possibly due to a number of causes. Manifestations including hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo (in varied combinations) were found; with the types of hearing loss being mainly sensorineural in nature. The severity of hearing loss ranged from mild to severe, occurred either unilaterally or bilaterally; with the type of onset being mainly gradual and progressive in nature. The varied causes of hearing loss included HIV infection or AIDS illness as a primary cause, opportunistic infections, and various ototoxic therapies that the patients had undergone. Implications for future research as well as future assessment and management of patients with AIDS are raised.

Is hearing impairment associated with HIV? A systematic review of data from low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…These findings are consistent with those studies from high‐income countries . In children, the conductive hearing loss is likely to result from frequent ear infections; several studies reported frequent CSOM among the children with HIV . Although the study samples were generally small, these CSOM prevalences were similar to the otoscopical abnormalities found in 14–37% of ears in high‐income countries .…”

“…The characteristics of the eligible studies are summarised in Table . Eleven studies focused on children, nine on adults and one on people of all ages.…”

“…In contrast, among the seven studies that assessed cause of hearing loss in adults, five found that SNHL was the most common type of hearing loss. Nine studies articles reported in detail on otoscopy findings . Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) prevalence varied from 16 to 36% in children and adults with HIV.…”

Effect of HIV Infection and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Hearing Function

“…In South Africa, investigators studied the ototoxicity of ARV drugs and HIV. 7,13,14 They confirmed the abovementioned findings and emphasized the need for closer monitoring of hearing in patients with HIV undergoing HAART. 13 Since May 2007 in Cameroon, HAART has been available free of charge nationwide.…”

“…To date, we have no explanation for this left-sided predominance, which was also found by Khoza-Shangase. 14 In fact, ototoxicity can also lead to unilateral hearing loss. 23 As for the severity of hearing loss, 42…”