Central Auditory Processing in Children is Affected by Perinatal HIV Exposure

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.