Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Validation of a parent outcome questionnaire from pediatric cochlear implantation
Terezinha Nunes1, Ursula Pretzlik, Selin Ilicak
1Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom. tnunes@brookes.ac.uk
Insights
This study evaluated a pediatric cochlear implantation questionnaire, finding it generally reliable and valid for assessing children's outcomes. Some areas need expansion for a more comprehensive assessment.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- Pediatric Health Outcomes
- Rehabilitation Sciences
Background:
- Pediatric cochlear implantation is a complex intervention requiring ongoing assessment.
- Existing assessment tools may not fully capture the multifaceted outcomes of cochlear implantation in children.
- Reliability and validity are crucial for accurate evaluation of pediatric cochlear implant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the reliability and validity of the Archbold et al. (2002) questionnaire for pediatric cochlear implantation assessment.
- To compare questionnaire data with parent interview responses to assess content and criterion validity.
- To identify areas for improvement in the questionnaire's breadth and scope.
Main Methods:
- Survey research involving parents of 61 children (5-16 years) with at least 3 years of cochlear implant use.
- Administration of the Archbold questionnaire and a semi-structured parent interview.
- Statistical analysis including alpha reliability, content validity comparison, criterion validity assessment via contrasting cases, and factor analysis.
Main Results:
- Questionnaire scale reliability (alpha) ranged from .41 to .74.
- General agreement was found between questionnaire and interview data, supporting content validity for most scales.
- Criterion validity was supported for nine scales; two scales showed less positive results. Factor analysis identified four key components of child functioning.
Conclusions:
- The questionnaire demonstrates reasonable reliability and validity for assessing pediatric cochlear implantation outcomes.
- The study identified specific areas where the questionnaire's breadth could be enhanced based on interview findings.
- Further research is recommended to refine the questionnaire and explore additional assessment dimensions.
Abstract:
This paper analyzes the reliability and validity of a questionnaire designed by Archbold, Lutman, Gregory, O'Neil, and Nikolpoulos (2002) for the assessment of pediatric cochlear implantation. Parents of 61 youngsters (age range 5 to 16 years), who had the implant for at least 3 years, responded to the questionnaire and to an interview. The alpha reliability of the 11 questionnaire scales varied between .41 and .74. Content validity was assessed by comparison with parents' responses to an interview. In general, there was agreement between parents' concerns and views expressed in the interview and as assessed by the questionnaire. However, extra issues were identified in the interview, which suggest the need for increasing the breadth of the questionnaire. Criterion validity was assessed by identifying contrasting cases, with very low or very high scores in each scale, and analyzing the descriptions obtained in the interviews. For nine scales this analysis provided support for the validity of the questionnaire; two scales did not produce positive results. Correlations with interview scores were calculated for only four scales: two were positive and significant whereas two were not significant. A factor analysis of the questionnaire scales identified four components, interpreted as the child's functioning in social situations, attitudes to the process of implantation, support required in the long term, and effective use of the implant. Suggestions for further research and descriptive comments provided by parents are included.
