Psychometric evaluation of the Gothenburg Profile for measurement of experienced hearing disability and handicap: applications with new hearing aid candidates and experienced hearing aid users.

Abstract

The Gothenburg Profile (GP) for measurement of experienced hearing disability and handicap was developed with content partly taken from the shortened Hearing Measurement Scale (HMS25). The GP consists of 20 items divided into two subscales. The first subscale measures Experienced Disability as to hearing speech (items 1-5) and sound localization (items 6-10). The second subscale targets the Experienced Handicap in social settings (items 11-15) and the personal reactions to the experienced handicap (items 16-20). In this study, data are presented for new hearing aid candidates (NewHA) (n=441) and for experienced hearing aid users (ExpHA) (n=476). Principal components factor analyses were conducted and a three-factor solution was obtained, supporting the two factors of the Experienced Disability subscale, but just confirming one factor in the Experienced Handicap subscale. The internal consistency reliability (coefficient alpha) was good (0.85 to 0.95) for the subscales as was the test-retest reliability. The ExpHA group expressed significantly greater disability (first subscale) as well as experienced handicap (second subscale). However, when controlling for hearing level the differences disappeared. The clinical use of the GP for assessment of rehabilitation needs is recommended.