A short form of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale suitable for clinical use: The SSQ12. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noble, William; Jensen, Niels Søgaard; Naylor, Graham; Bhullar, Navjot; Akeroyd, Michael A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 52:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2013.781278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective:</italic> To develop and evaluate a 12-item version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale for use in clinical research and rehabilitation settings, and provide a formula for converting scores between the full (SSQ49) and abbreviated (SSQ12) versions. <italic>Design:</italic> Items were selected independently at the three centres (Eriksholm Research Centre, MRC Institute of Hearing Research, University of New England) to be representative of the complete scale. A consensus was achieved after discussion. <italic>Study sample:</italic> The data set (n = 1220) used for a factor analysis (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="CIT0002">Akeroyd et al</xref>, submitted) was re-analysed to compare original SSQ scores (SSQ49) with scores on the short version (SSQ12). <italic>Results:</italic> A scatter-plot of SSQ12 scores against SSQ49 scores showed that SSQ12 score was about 0.6 of a scale point lower than the SSQ49 (0–10 scale) in the re-analysis of the Akeroyd et al data. SSQ12 scores lay on a slightly steeper slope than scores on the SSQ49. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> The SSQ12 provides similar results to SSQ49 in a large clinical research sample. The slightly lower average SSQ12 score and the slightly steeper slope reflect the composition of this short form relative to the SSQ49.</p> </abstract>