Hearing assessment data in HIV-infected and uninfected children of Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Researchers are showing that the rate of hearing loss in children with perinatal HIV infection (PHIV) is higher than in HIV-unexposed, uninfected children. These data, however, have been collected mostly in the USA; extensive hearing data from low- and middle-income countries are lacking. The purpose of this study was to collect audiometric data in PHIV and HIV-uninfected children living in Cape Town, South Africa. Questionnaire data along with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and pure-tone testing were completed. Hearing loss was determined using the pure-tone thresholds defined as a pure-tone average (PTA) of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz of >15 dB HL in the poorer ear. All data were compared between PHIV and HIV-uninfected children. Sixty-one (37 PHIV and 24 HIV-uninfected) children had hearing data. HIV status was not significantly associated with DPOAEs. The rate of conductive hearing loss was 11.5%; five PHIV and two HIV-uninfected children. The rate of any hearing loss was higher in PHIV children, but this difference was not statistically significant. PHIV children had a significantly higher mean PTA in the poorer ear than HIV-uninfected children. Conductive type of hearing loss was more common than sensorineural hearing loss. The underlying cause of hearing loss in the present study therefore remains unclear. Future research should include an examination of auditory neural function in an effort to determine the possible reason for differences in hearing.

HIV status and hearing loss among children between 6 and 12 years of age at a large urban health facility in south western Uganda

“…Otitis media is also a common diagnosis among children seen in many ENT clinics in resource limited settings and among HIV positive children and this is evident in our study population. For patients with SNHL, the high prevalence of SNHL seen among the HIV positive children is similar to findings from other studies conducted both locally and abroad [8, 11, 20]. Suggested theories of the pathophysiology of SNHL in HIV infection include effect of the disease process and drugs on mitochondrial function causing ototoxicity in patients who are predisposed [26, 27].…”

“…In Malawi, prevalence of HL was 24% among HIV infected children [10]. In addition, there are factors that could potentially modify the effect of HIV on HL and these include age, gender and prematurity but evidence regarding these factors is limited [11]. …”

Middle Ear Function in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected South African Children

“…Extensive demographic data are shown in Torre et al [10]. Briefly, in Table 1 PHIV children were mostly female (62.2%), black race (73.0%) and spoke Xhosa (67.6%) as the primary language at home.…”

“…This study included the same 61 children (37 PHIV [23 females, 14 males], 24 HIV-uninfected [8 females, 16 males]) that participated in the study by Torre et al [10]. Extensive demographic data are shown in Torre et al [10].…”

Acquired Hearing Loss in Children

“…35 Therefore, children who are HIV1 should have audiometric examinations incorporated into their routine care. 36,37 Measles (rubeola)…”