A hearing profile of children with HIV/AIDS on HAART that undergo hearing screening

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Child Health-Neurodevelopment. January 2017Aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the hearing screening profile of children between 0-6 years living with HIV/AIDS currently on HAART at a virology clinic within a tertiary hospital in Gauteng using an audiological screening protocol. The objectives were to describe the demographic profile of children on HAART undergoing hearing screening, to determine the relationship between CD4 percent and the duration on HAART, to document and describe the occurrence of possible outer ear abnormalities, to document and describe the occurrence of possible middle ear pathologies and to document and describe the occurrence of possible inner ear pathologies. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, prospective descriptive study; using purposive criterion sampling. It was conducted at a tertiary provincial hospital in Gauteng. A questionnaire and a hearing screening protocol was used to obtain data. Consent was obtained from the parent/caregiver of all participants. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital and the University of Witwatersrand Medical Ethical Committee prior to the study. Results: There was the presence of possible ear pathologies detected by the hearing screening. The possible outer ear abnormalities existed in 26% of ears, possible middle ear pathologies existed in 29% of ears and possible inner ear pathologies existed in 1% of ears. However as the frequency increased the number of refers obtained in DPOAE screening also increased, which could be indicative of early cochlear pathology (inner ear pathology) in the high frequencies. Conclusions: Audiological screening in infants and children living with HIV/AIDS may be essential, as there may be a wide range of possible hearing deficits. If undiagnosed or not identified and managed early these deficits may result in language and cognitive delays.MT201