Validation of the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19) to assess Spanish-speaking cochlear implant users' auditory abilities in everyday communication situations

Conclusion: The Spanish-language HISQUI(19) is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for quantifying the self-perceived level of auditory benefit that cochlear implant (CI) users experience in everyday listening situations. Objectives: To validate the Spanish-language version of The Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI(19)), a questionnaire for quantifying the self-perceived level of auditory benefit that CI users experience in everyday listening situations. Methods: Adult Spanish-speaking subjects with a CI were asked to complete a Spanish-language version of the HISQUI(19). Reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach's coefficient; exploratory factor analyses with a rotated (varimax) factor solution was applied to check construct validity; external validity was confirmed using Pearson's correlation. Test-re-test analysis was also performed. The MED-EL Assessment Database was used to assist in the administration, reporting, and data collection. Results: Sixty-six of 77 subjects completed and returned the HISQUI(19). The mean score auditory ability score (mean +/- standard deviation) of the HISQUI(19) was 79.9 +/- 24.0, a moderate' auditory benefit. An inverse relationship was found between the HISQUI(19) score and age at implantation. Gender and side of implantation did not influence self-perceived functioning. The objective measures (disyllables tested without lip-reading and in quiet) were correlated with the Total Score.