Development of the Mandarin Version of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire

This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and preliminarily evaluate the Mandarin version of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ-Mandarin) for older adults with hearing loss.

The study involved a systematic translation and cultural adaptation process following international guidelines, including forward and back translation, expert committee review, and field testing with 15 participants. A total of 227 older adults completed the HFEQ-Mandarin. In the non-hearing aid subgroup (n = 109), participants additionally completed the Chinese Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening and Mini Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Psychometric analyses included exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability, and correlation assessments.

The HFEQ-Mandarin demonstrated good cultural relevance after expert review and participant feedback. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor structure explaining 74.14% of variance. Internal consistency was excellent for the total scale (α = .905), though some subscales showed lower reliability. Correlation analyses indicated significant relationships between HFEQ scores, hearing thresholds, and self-reported hearing difficulties. Participants generally found the questionnaire understandable, though some items, particularly those related to societal support and individual resources, required refinement. The length of the questionnaire posed challenges for older adults, highlighting the need for a shorter version.

The HFEQ-Mandarin is a promising tool for assessing daily hearing-related functioning in Mandarin-speaking adults. Further validation with diverse samples is needed.

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.33307746.