Development and initial evaluation of the Hearing Aid Attribute and Feature Importance Evaluation (HAFIE) questionnaire.

Objectives: To develop and validate a novel questionnaire aimed at providing a structured, evidence-based methodology for hearing aid recommendation and selection using self-reported importance ratings for different modern hearing aid features.

Design: The initial questionnaire items were created through a concept mapping approach that involved input from hearing aid users. Hearing care professional focus groups (n = 10) were conducted to assess questionnaire content and design, and to guide modifications. Validation of this initial 34-item version of the questionnaire was conducted using an anonymous online survey tool (Qualtrics). Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the dataset, using principal axis factoring. Questionnaire reliability and inter-item correlation were assessed. Items with low factor loading and high cross-loading were removed.

Study sample: Two hundred and eighteen adult participants with a self-reported hearing loss (median age = 48 years, range = 18-95 years) completed the questionnaire.

Results: Analysis and item removal resulted in a 28-item questionnaire. Three factors were identified, dividing the hearing aid features into the subscales: "Advanced connectivity & streaming", "Physical attributes & usability", and "Sound quality & intelligibility".

Conclusion: This study has resulted in a patient-oriented questionnaire that allows clinicians to gather patient input in a structured manner.