Hearing function is highly sensitive to aging and may represent a marker of neuro-sensory decline. Whether well-controlled HIV infection is associated with altered auditory function remains uncertain. MATERIAL AND
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Results are not yet available in the provided description; audiologists should monitor this study's findings, but no practice change is warranted until full data are published.
As HIV-positive individuals live longer on effective antiretroviral therapy, understanding whether virological suppression fully protects against HIV-associated auditory decline is critical for guiding hearing screening protocols in this growing population.
- 01The HELO study examines hearing outcomes specifically in virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH).
- 02Virological suppression means HIV is controlled by medication to undetectable or very low blood levels.
- 03The study explores whether well-controlled HIV still contributes to auditory or neurosensory (nerve-related hearing) decline.
- 04Published in a peer-reviewed journal (ANORL, DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2026.07.015), lending methodological credibility.
- 05Findings could inform whether HIV-positive patients on ART need targeted audiology surveillance programs.
Virologically suppressed persons living with HIV may still experience hearing function decline or auditory neurosensory changes.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42919792
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.anorl.2026.07.015.
- Journal
- European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Virologically suppressed persons living with HIV
- Intervention
- Assessment of hearing function in virologically suppressed HIV-positive individuals
Primary outcomes
Hearing function outcomes; Auditory and neurosensory decline measures