Bilateral eighth cranial nerve neuropathy in human immunodeficiency virus infection

A 21-year-old HIV-1 seropositive African man developed an acute febrile illness followed by a sudden sensorineural bilateral hearing loss. Neurophysiological studies demonstrated the bilateral involvement of both branches of the vestibulocochlear cranial nerves. Immunological studies revealed the presence of an ongoing central nervous system HIV-1 infection. A sural nerve biopsy showed the presence of inflammatory cells. We suggest HIV testing for all cases of sudden onset of bilateral hypoacusia.