BACKGROUND: To characterize the findings of brainstem auditory evoked potential in HIV-positive individuals exposed and not exposed to antiretroviral treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research was a cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study. Forty-five HIV-positive individuals (18 not exposed and 27 exposed to the antiretroviral treatment – research groups I and II, respectively – and 30 control group individuals) were assessed through brainstem auditory evoked potential.

RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences regarding wave latencies. A higher percentage of altered brainstem auditory evoked potential was observed in the HIV-positive groups when compared to the control group. The most common alteration was in the low brainstem.

CONCLUSIONS: HIV-positive individuals have a higher percentage of altered brainstem auditory evoked potential that suggests central auditory pathway impairment when compared to HIV-negative individuals. There was no significant difference between individuals exposed and not exposed to antiretroviral treatment.

Keywords: Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use, Audiometry, Pure-Tone, Brain Stem - pathology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem - physiology, HIV Infections - physiopathology, HIV Seropositivity, Probability, young adult