PURPOSE: To characterize the audiologic manifestations in individuals with HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) submitted and not submitted to antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: The audiologic evaluation was carried out in 28 individuals in Research Group I (RGI) with HIV/AIDS submitted to antiretroviral therapy; 24 individuals in Research Group II (RGII) with HIV/AIDS not submitted to antiretroviral therapy, and 45 healthy individuals in the Control Group (CG). The audiologic tests that comprised this study were: Conventional Pure Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry and High Frequency Audiometry. RESULTS: There were differences between groups RGI and RGII regarding conventional audiologic evaluation and high frequency audiometry. There were higher thresholds for both Conventional and High Frequency Audiometries when compared with CG subjects, however without significant difference among RGI and RGII. CONCLUSION: Individuals with HIV/AIDS present more abnormal results in Conventional Pure Tone Audiometry and High Frequency Audiometry than healthy individuals (CG), which indicates impairment in the hearing system. Individuals with HIV/AIDS present more abnormal findings in High Frequency Audiometry when compared to Conventional Pure Tone Audiometry. There was no difference between individuals with HIV/AIDS submitted (RGI) and not submitted (RGII) to antiretroviral therapy regarding Conventional Pure Tone Audiometry and High Frequency Audiometry.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; HIV; Antiretroviral therapy, Highly active; Audiometry; Hearing loss