Development and validation of the audio processor satisfaction questionnaire (APSQ) for hearing implant users

Abstract

Objective: The satisfaction experienced with using an audio processor is very important to hearing implant system users. Currently there are no measures that can be used to assess user satisfaction with an audio processor. This study aims to develop and validate a specific and standardised questionnaire that focuses on user satisfaction with their audio processor.

Design: A preliminary version of the questionnaire was initially developed by experts in the field. Following validation of these results, the final version of the Audio Processor Satisfaction Questionnaire (APSQ) was developed consisting of 15 items. Item analyses and questionnaire validation measurements were assessed.

Study sample: Sixty-nine subjects were recruited and asked to complete the APSQ twice within 2–4 weeks.

Results: Subjects reported a high user satisfaction with the questionnaire and with their audio processor. The questionnaire had good reliability and results for test-retest reliability were high and significant across all items and across subscale analyses.

Conclusion: Item analyses and reliability analyses show that the questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to assess user satisfaction across different audio processors and hearing implant systems. The APSQ is a quick and easy tool to measure user satisfaction with their audio processor.

Keywords:

• Hearing implant
• audio processor
• satisfaction
• cochlear implant

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Laura Kerr (MED-EL GmbH) for her medical writing services on a version of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

This study was designed by MED-EL GmbH.