Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Field Testing of the Korean Version of the HEAR-COMMAND Tool: A Self-Rated ICF-Based Questionnaire for Assessing Hearing, Communication, and Conversation Disabilities in Korean-Speaking Populations.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Despite the growing Korean population in the USA, barriers to healthcare access persist due to widespread limited English proficiency, particularly in hearing healthcare. A lack of culturally competent, multilingual resources has exacerbated these challenges. This study aimed to translate the HEAR-COMMAND Tool into Korean, adapt it culturally, and assess its comprehensibility, readability, and relevance to Korean individuals.

Subjects and methods: A systematic six-step methodology led by a team of four Korean faculty members was used for the translation process. Two nursing faculty members drafted the first version, ensuring alignment with the original content. A bilingual linguist specializing in English-Korean translation reviewed the draft, followed by a speech-language and hearing sciences faculty member who assessed its cultural appropriateness. The translated tool was tested by 10 Korean-speaking participants to evaluate its readability, linguistic and cultural suitability, and accessibility, leading to further refinement. Finally, five Korean American healthcare and academic professionals provided additional inputs, resulting in a beta version of the HEAR-COMMAND Tool-Korean.

Results: The beta version of the HEAR-COMMAND Tool-Korean was generally found to be feasible, comprehensible, and engaging. Ten of the 15 participants found the items easy to understand, although some had difficulties with specific terms and sentence structures. Notably, 14 of the 15 participants reported that the tool would likely motivate them to seek professional help for hearing concerns.

Conclusions: The translation and cultural adaptation of the HEAR-COMMAND Tool into Korean represents an advancement in addressing the hearing healthcare needs of the Korean population in the USA. Grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), this tool facilitates hearing-related assessments that can be used more broadly among all Korean-speaking individuals worldwide. Future research should validate this tool and examine its impact in clinical and community settings.