Construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ)

The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ-SWE). The aim was to investigate how adults with hearing loss experience their everyday functioning from the perspective of hearing, using the HFEQ-SWE. A quantitative cross-sectional survey study with 628 adults, aged 30–96 years (mean 74.4, SD = 10.3) recruited from audiological clinics in three counties of Sweden. The factor structure of the HFEQ was examined by confirmatory factor analysis via comparisons with the 6 subscales of the HFEQ: health, hearing, communication, participation in society, individual resources and societal support. HFEQ ratings were compared for the following variables: sex, level of education, employment and hearing aid usage. With some modifications of the original HFEQ structure, a CFA showed sufficient model fit and confirmed the HFEQ construct. The internal consistency for the total score was satisfactory, and the correlations between repeated measurements showed stability over time for the total score. There were variations at item level and subscale levels. We identified broad variations in HFEQ ratings and found that the experience of everyday functioning is associated with factors such as age, gender, level of education, employment, and hearing aid usage. Significant correlations were found between self-reported hearing loss and 79% of the HFEQ items. The overall study results strengthen the validity and reliability of the HFEQ and indicate satisfactory construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the total score. Some items need further attention. Differences in the HFEQ rating were found at the item level for the variables of age, gender, education, employment, and hearing aid use, suggesting that these factors affect everyday functioning in addition to hearing loss.