A short form of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale suitable for clinical use: The SSQ12

Abstract

Objective: To develop and evaluate a 12-item version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale for use in clinical research and rehabilitation settings, and provide a formula for converting scores between the full (SSQ49) and abbreviated (SSQ12) versions. Design: Items were selected independently at the three centres (Eriksholm Research Centre, MRC Institute of Hearing Research, University of New England) to be representative of the complete scale. A consensus was achieved after discussion. Study sample: The data set (n = 1220) used for a factor analysis (, submitted) was re-analysed to compare original SSQ scores (SSQ49) with scores on the short version (SSQ12). Results: A scatter-plot of SSQ12 scores against SSQ49 scores showed that SSQ12 score was about 0.6 of a scale point lower than the SSQ49 (0–10 scale) in the re-analysis of the Akeroyd et al data. SSQ12 scores lay on a slightly steeper slope than scores on the SSQ49. Conclusions: The SSQ12 provides similar results to SSQ49 in a large clinical research sample. The slightly lower average SSQ12 score and the slightly steeper slope reflect the composition of this short form relative to the SSQ49.

Key Words::

• Speech
• spatial and qualities of hearing scale
• short version
• clinical use
• SSQ

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper

This work was presented at the 2012 IHCON meeting and the 2012 British Society of Audiology Annual Conference. MAA was supported by the Medical Research Council (grant number U135097131) and by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government.