Reevaluation of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap Using Item Response Theory.
We reevaluated the psychometric properties of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (AIADH; Kramer, Kapteyn, Festen, & Tobi, 1995) using item response theory. Item response theory describes item functioning along an ability continuum.



Cross-sectional data from 2,352 adults with and without hearing impairment, ages 18-70 years, were analyzed. They completed the AIADH in the web-based prospective cohort study "Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing." A graded response model was fitted to the AIADH data. Category response curves, item information curves, and the standard error as a function of self-reported hearing ability were plotted.



The graded response model showed a good fit. Item information curves were most reliable for adults who reported having hearing disability and less reliable for adults with normal hearing. The standard error plot showed that self-reported hearing ability is most reliably measured for adults reporting mild up to moderate hearing disability.



This is one of the few item response theory studies on audiological self-reports. All AIADH items could be hierarchically placed on the self-reported hearing ability continuum, meaning they measure the same construct. This provides a promising basis for developing a clinically useful computerized adaptive test, where item selection adapts to the hearing ability of individuals, resulting in efficient assessment of hearing disability.
J Mirjam
JM
Boeschen Hospers
Niels
N
Smits
Cas
C
Smits
Mariska
M
Stam
Caroline B
CB
Terwee
Sophia E
SE
Kramer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult