Italian validation of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly - Screening version (HHIE-S-It)

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2023 Aug;43(4):262-272. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N2297.

Abstract
in English, Italian

Objective: Validate the Italian version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly - Screening version (HHIE-S-It).

Methods: After translation, psychometric properties and attributes were analysed by administering the HHIE-S-It to 167 elderly outpatients together with the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI).

Results: The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.908 for the total score, and 0.832 and 0.816 for its two subscales. Significant test-retest reliability was observed (p < 0.001). Moderate to high correlations were found between HHIE-S-It and pure tone average in the better ear (p < 0.001). The ANOVA test confirmed the significant difference in HHIE-S-It scores across groups according to the degree of hearing loss (p < 0.001). Only very low and low significant correlations were observed between HHIE-S-It and PGWBI. The criterion HHIE-S-It > 11 was observed as the best cut-off with highest sensitivity (86.4%), specificity (72.4%), positive predictive value (52.8%), negative predictive value (93.7%) and likelihood ratios (3.12 and 0.19).

Conclusions: Since the HHIE-S-It presented acceptable psychometric properties, its adoption is justified for both clinical and research purposes. Acceptable diagnostic attributes allow its use as a screening tool for age-related hearing loss.

Validazione italiana dell’Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly – Screening version (HHIE-S-It).

Obiettivo: Tradurre e validare in italiano l’Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly – Screening version (HHIE-S-It).

Metodi: Sono state analizzate le proprietà psicometriche e diagnostiche somministrando l’HHIE-S-It a 167 pazienti ambulatoriali anziani insieme allo Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI).

Risultati: Il coefficiente α di Cronbach è risultato pari a 0,908 per il punteggio totale, 0,832 e 0,816 per le sue due sottoscale. È stata osservata una significativa riproducibilità (p < 0,001). Correlazioni moderate ed elevate sono state osservate tra l’HHIE-S-It e la soglia uditiva nell’orecchio migliore (p < 0,001). Il test ANOVA ha confermato la significativa differenza dell’HHIE-S-It in base al grado di perdita uditiva (p < 0,001). Correlazioni molto basse ma significative sono state riportate tra l’HHIE-S-It e il PGWBI. Il criterio HHIE-S-It > 11 è risultato il miglior cut-off per la perdita d’udito con sensibilità 86,4%, specificità 72,4%, valore predittivo positivo 52,8%, valore predittivo negativo 93,7%, rapporti di verosimiglianza pari a 3,12 e 0,19.

Conclusioni: Poiché l’HHIE-S-It ha presentato proprietà psicometriche e diagnostiche accettabili, la sua adozione è giustificata per scopi clinici e di ricerca, nonché come strumento di screening per la presbiacusia.

Keywords: hearing aids; hearing impairment; presbycusis; public health; social adjustment.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Deafness*
  • Hearing*
  • Humans
  • Psychological Well-Being
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results