A case report of hearing loss post use of hydroxychloroquine in a HIV-infected patient

OBJECTIVE: A case with reversible symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss following hydroxychloroquine therapy is described. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive man was referred to the HIV clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran with chief complaint of bilateral slowly progressive hearing loss starting from two months ago. The man had history of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed from 3 months ago and was administered hydroxychloroquine 200 mg and prednisolone 5 mg twice daily. Audiometry test showed moderate to severe neuronal hearing loss and reduced speech recognition in both ears of the patient. With suspicion of hydroxychloroquine-induced hearing loss, this drug was discontinued. After 2 months of hydroxychloroquine discontinuation, his audiometry findings were improved. DISCUSSION: A few cases of hydroxychloroquine-induced hearing loss have been reported. All of the cases were non-HIV positive individuals. Irreversible hearing loss was developed following long-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine. The present case was a HIV-positive man who developed hearing loss following short course (one month) hydroxychloroquine therapy and his problem was resolved following discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine and continuation of prednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxychloroquine-induced hearing loss may reversibly occur following short term therapy in HIV patients.