Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Low Language or Congenital Hearing Loss, as Measured by the PedsQL and Health Utility Index Mark 3

To examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young children with low language or congenital hearing loss and to explore the value of assessing HRQoL by concurrently administering 2 HRQoL instruments in populations of children. Data were from 2 Australian community-based studies: Language for Learning (children with typical and low language at age 4 years, n = 1012) and the Statewide Comparison of Outcomes study (children with hearing loss, n = 108). HRQoL was measured using the parent-reported Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the Pediatrics Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) generic core scale. Agreement between the HRQoL instruments was assessed using intraclass correlation and Bland-Altman plots. Children with low language and with hearing loss had lower HRQoL than children with normal language; the worst HRQoL was experienced by children with both. The lower HRQoL was mainly due to impaired school functioning (PedsQL) and speech and cognition (HUI3). Children with hearing loss also had impaired physical and social functioning (PedsQL), vision, hearing, dexterity, and ambulation (HUI3). Correlations between instruments were poor to moderate, with low agreement. Children with low language and congenital hearing loss might benefit from interventions targeting overall health and well-being, not just their impairments. The HUI3 and PedsQL each seemed to provide unique information and thus may supplement each other in assessing HRQoL of young children, including those with low language or congenital hearing loss. •Low language (LL) and congenital hearing loss (CHL) are associated with many adverse outcomes, including poorer academic achievement and mental health. Nevertheless, the literature reporting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young children with LL/CHL is limited. The Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) are widely used to measure HRQoL in pediatric populations. Few attempts compare the value of assessing HRQoL by both the HUI3 and the PedsQL concurrently.•Children with LL and CHL had significantly lower HRQoL than children with typical language and hearing. There is low agreement between the PedsQL and the HUI3 when used in general populations or in children with LL and CHL.•Children with LL and CHL had poorer HRQoL than children with typical language and hearing. This highlights a need for interventions to improve the health and well-being of these children. The HUI3 a