BACKGROUND: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and results in reduced immunity, leaving affected individuals more susceptible to illness and opportunistic infections. As the disease progresses, structures within the central auditory system can be affected either by the direct action of the virus or as a consequence of secondary infections. Other areas of the auditory system may also be more vulnerable to pathology in people living with HIV or AIDS. PURPOSE: the goal of this review was exploratory, to identify possible points of intersection between auditory disorders and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This paper reports the results of a literature review on auditory disorders associated with HIV and AIDS and discusses the potential impact of ear pathologies among HIV/AIDSinfected populations. CONCLUSION: literature suggests several possible types of association between auditory disorders and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and that people with HIV/AIDS may require hearing care interventions. Health professionals, including those from the Brazilian public health system, should examine the need for hearing-related services among HIV/AIDS patients in order to reduce the impact of the disease on daily life activities and prevent insofar, further auditory deterioration.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Hearing Loss; Risk; Comprehensive Health Care; Socioeconomic Factors