Translation, adaptation and cross-cultural validation of Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult (HHIA) in Malay language

• Main Authors: Tengku Zam Zam, Tengku Zulaila Hasma, Dzulkarnain, Ahmad Aidil Arafat, Rahmat, Sarah, Jusoh, Masnira
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: The Korean Audiological Society and Korean Otological Society 2019
• Subjects: RF Otorhinolaryngology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/67542/19/67542_Translation%2C%20Adaptation%20and%20Cross-Cultural_article.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/67542/7/67542_Translation%2C%20Adaptation%20and%20Cross-Cultural%20Validation%20of%20Hearing%20Handicap%20Inventory%20for%20Adult%20in%20Malay%20Language_wos.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/67542/13/67542_Translation%2C%20adaptation%20and%20cross-cultural%20validation%20of%20hearing%20handicap_scopus.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/67542/; https://www.ejao.org/journal/view.php?number=685
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Background and Objectives: A self-reported questionnaire for the hearing-impaired is not yet available in the Malay language, hence, it is important to develop or translate any available existing questionnaires. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult (HHIA) to be used by the audiologist among the hearing-impaired population in Malaysia. Subjects (Materials) and Methods: The HHIAs were translated using forward-backward translation techniques by four-panellists (two for each level). The translated HHIA were then reconciled and harmonized for culture and content by the researchers and the two expert panels before being pilot-tested among 10 hearing-impaired patients. Validation was conducted among 80 adults with a hearing loss (AHL) to calculate for Cronbach’s α (internal reliability), Spearman’s correlation (inter-item correlation) and factor analysis. Results: None of the translated items were removed from the scale. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.964; 0.927 and 0.934 for both social and emotional subscales, respectively. The factor analysis (force-concept inventory) demonstrated a two-structure with a strong correlation between all items in either component 1 or 2, that resembled the original scale. The Mann-Whitney test revealed significantly higher scores for those adults with a hearing loss than those adults with normal hearing. Conclusion: The Malay HHIA has been successfully translated and validated for the purpose of determining the psychosocial aspects of adults with hearing losses in the local population.