Auditory processing abilities and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Introduction Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus are known to have deviant hearing, vision, and gustatory functioning. However, it is possible that they may be at risk for an auditory processing disorder (APD) also, which could affect learning, communication, and quality of life. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the difference/association between APD, quality of life, and cognition in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus as well as with haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). Method Twenty-two children aged 8 to 12 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus were compared with 22 age and gender-matched typically developing children. They were screened for risk of APD. Additionally, their quality of life, cognitive functioning, and HbA1C levels were tested. Results Children with diabetes had a significantly higher risk for APD, lower quality of life, and cognitive scores compared to the typically developing children. A principal component analysis revealed that the auditory processing measures were distinctly different from quality of life, cognitive functioning, and HbA1C. Among the auditory processing measures, speech perception in noise, gap detection, and auditory memory loaded together, while those related to dichotic perception were separate. Conclusion The findings highlight the need for routine screening for the presence of APD and evaluating the quality of life and cognition in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Based on the principal component analysis, it is recommended that a multidimensional assessment be done that includes auditory processing, quality of life, cognition, and HbA1C for these children.