Electrophysiological manifestations in adults with HIV/AIDS submitted and not submitted to antiretroviral therapy.

Background: auditory evoked potentials (AEP) assess the neuroelectric activity on the auditory pathway -from the auditory nerve to the cerebral cortex - in response to an acoustic stimulus or event. Studies have demonstrated electrophysiological abnormalities in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Aim: to characterize the hearing electrophysiological manifestations in adults with HIV/AIDS by comparing the results obtained in the group exposed to antiretroviral therapy with those obtained in the group not exposed to such treatment.

Method: electrophysiological evaluation of hearing (Auditory Brainstem Response - ABR, Auditory Middle Latency Response - AMLR and P300) was conducted in 56 individuals with HIV/AIDS: 24 participants composed group I (not exposed to antiretroviral treatment) and 32 participants composed group II (exposed to treatment).

Results: alterations in every AEP were observed in individuals with HIV/ AIDS, especially in the ABR. Indeed, the group exposed to antiretroviral treatment presented more alterations.

Conclusion: individuals with HIV/AIDS may present alterations on the central and peripheral auditory nervous system. The group exposed to antiretroviral therapy presents more alterations on the brainstem auditory pathway.