This is a a report on 3 HIV positive patients, with no hearing loss at initiation of therapy, aged 25-31 years. There are no other health concerns at this time.
§Patient 1:
Male, age 25
§HIV positive for 3 years
§Yet to begin antiretroviral therapy
§Normal hearing at diagnosis
§Nightclub DJ
§No family history of hearing loss
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§Patient 2:
§Male, age 28
§HIV positive for 5 years
§Began antiretroviral therapy 4 years ago
§Normal hearing pre-therapy
§Bartender
§No family history of hearing loss
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§Patient 3:
§Male, age 31
§HIV positive for 8 years
§Began antiretroviral therapy 6 years ago
§Normal hearing pre-therapy
§Accountant
§No family history of hearing loss
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Only patient 2 has hearing loss. Patient 1 and 2 both work in noise. Patient 2 and 3 both are on antiretroviral drugs.
HYPOTHESIS: That antiretroviral drugs alone do not cause hearing loss, but that in combination with aging effects or with noise exposure, they contribute to the development of hearing loss.