Validity, discriminative ability, and reliability of the hearing‐related quality of life questionnaire for adolescents. (2nd October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rachakonda, Tara; Jeffe, Donna B.; Shin, Jennifer J.; Mankarious, Leila; Fanning, Robert J.; Lesperance, Marci M.; Lieu, Judith E.C.
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 124:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 570
• Page End: 578
• Publication Date: 2013-10-02
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.24336
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives/Hypothesis</title> <p>The prevalence of hearing loss (HL) in adolescents has grown over the past decade, but hearing‐related quality of life (QOL) has not been well‐measured. We sought to develop a reliable, valid measure of hearing‐related QOL for adolescents and the Hearing Environments And Reflection on Quality of Life (HEAR‐QL).</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design</title> <p>Multisite observational study.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Adolescents with HL and siblings without HL were recruited from five centers. Participants completed the HEAR‐QL and validated questionnaires measuring generic pediatric QOL (PedsQL), depression and anxiety (RCADS‐25), and hearing‐related QOL for adults (HHIA) to determine construct and discriminant validity. Participants completed the HEAR‐QL 2 weeks later for test‐retest reliability. We used exploratory principal components analysis to determine the HEAR‐QL factor structure and measured reliability. Sensitivity and specificity of the HEAR‐QL, PedsQL, HHIA, and RCADS‐25 were assessed. We compared scores on all surveys between those with normal hearing, unilateral, and bilateral HL.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 233 adolescents (13–18 years old) participated: 179 with HL, 54 without HL. The original 45‐item HEAR‐QL was shortened to 28 items after determining factor structure. The resulting HEAR‐QL‐28 demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95) and construct validity (HHIA: <italic>r</italic> = .845, PedsQL: <italic>r</italic> = .587; RCADS‐25: <italic>r</italic> = .433). The HEAR‐QL‐28 displayed excellent discriminant validity, with higher area under the curve (0.932) than the PedsQL (0.597) or RCADS‐25 (0.529). Teens with bilateral HL using hearing devices reported worse QOL on the HEAR‐QL and HHIA than peers with HL not using devices.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The HEAR‐QL is a sensitive, reliable, and valid measure of hearing‐related QOL for adolescents.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary24336-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Level of Evidence</title> <p>2b. <italic>Laryngoscope</italic>, 124:570–578, 2014</p> </sec> </abstract>