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Central Auditory Processing in Children is Affected by Perinatal HIV Exposure
Peter Torre1, Haley Elliott2, Jennifer Shinn3
1From the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
Insights
Children with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) show poorer central auditory function, specifically binaural integration, compared to HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) children. Those with perinatal HIV exposure but uninfected (PHEU) had similar outcomes to HUU children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Children living with HIV face increased risks of hearing loss.
- Limited understanding exists regarding central auditory function in children with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) and perinatal HIV exposure but uninfected (PHEU).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate central auditory function, specifically binaural integration, in children with PHIV and PHEU compared to HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) children.
- To evaluate the impact of HIV exposure on auditory processing in children.
Main Methods:
- The dichotic digits test (DDT) was administered to 268 children (aged 11-14) in the Auditory Research in Children with HIV study.
- DDT scores, measuring percent correct for each ear, assessed binaural integration as part of a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Main Results:
- Children with PHIV exhibited significantly lower DDT scores in both right (8-point decrease) and left ears (15-point decrease) compared to HUU children, after adjusting for covariates.
- Children with PHEU showed slightly lower bilateral DDT scores than HUU children.
- No significant association was found between HIV disease variables and DDT outcomes in children with PHIV.
Conclusions:
- Central auditory function, including binaural integration, requires evaluation in children living with HIV.
- Children with PHIV demonstrate poorer outcomes in binaural integration compared to HUU children.
- Impaired binaural integration can negatively affect auditory performance and academic achievement in children.
Background:
Children living with HIV are at higher risk for hearing loss compared to children with HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU). There is little known regarding the effects of children living with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) and those living with perinatal HIV exposure but uninfected (PHEU) on central auditory function.
Methods:
Children 11-14 years old who were participating in the Auditory Research in Children with HIV study. Children were administered the dichotic digits test (DDT) to evaluate binaural integration as a part of a comprehensive hearing protocol. Scores were recorded as percent correct for each ear.
Results:
Data were collected on 268 children (102 HUU, 80 with PHEU and 86 with PHIV). Children with PHIV had the lowest median DDT for the right and left ears. After adjusting for age and grade level, children with PHIV had statistically significant 8-point lower DDT right ear percent correct (95% confidence interval [CI]: -13.69 to -1.86) and a 15-point lower DDT left ear percent correct (95% CI: -23.03 to -7.45) compared to HUU children. Children with PHEU did have slightly lower DDT scores bilaterally. In children living with PHIV, no HIV disease variables were significantly associated with DDT outcomes.
Conclusions:
Both peripheral hearing loss and central auditory function should be evaluated in children living with HIV. Children living with PHIV have poorer DDT outcomes compared with HUU children, while children living with PHEU had similar DDT outcomes to HUU children. Poorer binaural integration can have a significant impact on functional auditory performance and academic achievement.
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