IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i4p487-d1619825.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Association Between HIV/AIDS, Ototoxicity of Its Treatments, and Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss: A Narrative Review Mapping the Existing Literature and Identifying Research Gaps

Author

Listed:
  • Katijah Khoza-Shangase

    (Audiology Department, School of Human & Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa)

Abstract

Hearing loss remains a significant but underexplored health challenge in individuals with HIV/AIDS, particularly those exposed to occupational noise. The ototoxic effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and comorbid conditions like tuberculosis (TB) further compound the risk. This narrative review examines the intersection of HIV/AIDS, ART, and occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL), emphasizing the South African and broader African contexts. The aim of the study was to map the existing literature on the association between HIV/AIDS, its treatments, and ONIHL, and to identify research gaps to inform policy and clinical practice. A narrative review approach was adopted, systematically searching databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included, focusing on the effects of HIV/AIDS, ART, and occupational noise exposure on hearing health. Data extraction and thematic synthesis were performed to identify key findings and gaps. Twenty studies were included, covering diverse settings such as South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, and the USA. Three key themes emerged: (1) dual burden of HIV and occupational noise exposure: HIV-positive individuals in noise-intensive industries, such as mining, face amplified risks of hearing loss due to immunological compromise and ototoxic TB treatments; (2) ototoxicity of ART: older ART regimens, widely used in resource-limited settings, are associated with a higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL); and (3) immunological susceptibility to ONIHL: HIV-related immune suppression exacerbates cochlear damage from noise and ototoxic agents, contributing to both peripheral and central auditory dysfunction. This review highlights the urgent need for integrated hearing health interventions in HIV care and occupational health frameworks, particularly in high-prevalence regions like South Africa. Routine audiological assessments, access to safer ART regimens, and enhanced workplace protections are essential to mitigate the dual burden of HIV/AIDS and ONIHL. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies and innovative, low-cost solutions for resource-limited settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Katijah Khoza-Shangase, 2025. "The Association Between HIV/AIDS, Ototoxicity of Its Treatments, and Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss: A Narrative Review Mapping the Existing Literature and Identifying Research Gaps," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:487-:d:1619825
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/4/487/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/4/487/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hulisani Matakanye & Takalani Grace Tshitangano & Jabu Tsakani Mabunda & Thelmah Xavela Maluleke, 2021. "Knowledge, Beliefs, and Perceptions of TB and Its Treatment amongst TB Patients in the Limpopo Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma & Deny Nugroho Triwibowo & Arik Dian Eka Pratiwi & Dian Ayu Eka Pitaloka, 2022. "Rasch Modelling to Assess Psychometric Validation of the Knowledge about Tuberculosis Questionnaire (KATUB-Q) for the General Population in Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:487-:d:1619825. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.