Abstract
ObjectiveResearch has established that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes hearing loss. Studies have yet to evaluate the impact on quality of life (QOL). This project evaluates the effect of hearing loss on QOL by HIV status.MethodsThe study participants were from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) and the Women's Interagency HIV study (WIHS). A total of 248 men and 127 women participated. Pure-tone air conduction thresholds were collected for each ear at frequencies from 250 through 8000 Hz. Pure-tone averages (PTAs) for each ear were calculated as the mean of air conduction thresholds in low frequencies (i.e., 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) and high frequencies (i.e., 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz). QOL data were gathered with the Short Form 36 Health Survey and Medical Outcome Study (MOS)-HIV instrument in the MACS and WIHS, respectively. A median regression analysis was performed to test the association of PTAs with QOL by HIV status.ResultsThere was no significant association between hearing loss and QOL scores at low and high pure tone averages in HIV positive and negative individuals. HIV status, HIV biomarkers and treatment did not change the lack of association of low and high pure tone averages with poorer QOL.ConclusionAlthough we did not find a statistically significant association of hearing loss with QOL by HIV status, testing for hearing loss with aging and recommending treatment may offset any presumed later life decline in QOL.
Highlights
Presbycusis, bilateral insidious hearing loss and cochlear dysfunction, is a degenerative process characterized by three key elements: deterioration of auditory sensitivity, loss of sensory cells, and loss of central auditory processing functions [1,2]
There was no significant association between hearing loss and quality of life (QOL) scores at low and high pure tone averages in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and negative individuals
HIV status, HIV biomarkers and treatment did not change the lack of association of low and high pure tone averages with poorer QOL
Summary
Presbycusis, bilateral insidious hearing loss and cochlear dysfunction, is a degenerative process characterized by three key elements: deterioration of auditory sensitivity, loss of sensory cells, and loss of central auditory processing functions [1,2]. It is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions, and is the most common sensory modality loss in the elderly population. Hearing loss has been found to decrease quality of life (QOL) measures via different mechanisms It compromises communication and one's social function [2,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. There is a lack of resources and awareness for hearing loss, which poses a large public health burden [9]
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