Self-Reported Treatment for Hearing Loss in Adults Living With or Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its treatment have been associated with hearing loss. For those who can benefit from treatment for hearing loss (i.e., hearing aids), uptake for services is low, likely due to stigma. There is also stigma for people living with HIV (PWH). As such, it is not known how both hearing loss and HIV status affect whether or not adults seek treatment for hearing loss. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional (PT1) study was to evaluate self-reported hearing ability and hearing loss treatment in middle-aged and aged PWH and people without HIV (PWOH). Participants in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Clinical Cohort Study (MWCCS) were asked questions related to their hearing ability and whether they sought hearing services. Among the 933 participants who reported hearing problems, 143 (15.3%) reported using hearing amplification; there was no difference by HIV serostatus. Almost 50% of participants who reported having a lot of trouble hearing did not report using any hearing amplification. Increased public education about hearing loss and amplification is needed, and this should come from audiologists and primary care physicians.