Translation in Ukrainian and adaptation of the English questionnaires: scales of meaningful auditory integration (MAIS) and scales of meaningful language use (MUSS) scales for assessing language development in children with deafness after cochlear implantation

Abstract

Introduction: The world community is concerned with the assessment of the speech and hearing development of children with sensorineural deafness after cochlear implantation, since the most important result of rehabilitation is the success of social integration of such children. In most countries of the world, the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS) and the Meaningful Use of Language Scale (MUSS) are used to assess the auditory and language integration of children with sensorineural hearing loss after cochlear implantation (CI). Unfortunately, in Ukraine there are still no Ukrainian questionnaires for assessing the auditory development of children with sensorineural hearing loss after cochlear implantation. The aim of our study was to translate MAIS and MUSS manuals into Ukrainian, to adapt and validate them culturally. Materials and methods: Materials for translation and cultural adaptation were English-language versions of the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS) and Meaningful Use of Language Scale (MUSS), developed by the Nottingham Group of Cochlear Implantation, which are recognized and recommended for use by all cochlear implant manufacturers. Results obtained: The evaluation consisted of the following stages: preparatory stage – collection and analysis of literature; translation of original texts from English into Ukrainian; reversed translation by an independent translator of Ukrainian text into English; collation of the translation and comparison with the original questionnaire by an independent linguist; Cognitive analysis; field-testing of textbooks translated into Ukrainian with a small group of children after the CI; corrections, final revision of translations to identify and correct any grammatical, orthographic and other errors. The Ukrainian version of the questionnaire demonstrated a high level of internal compliance, testability and validity. Conclusions: Given the considerable relevance and demand ability of the materials, the tests can be recognized as valid and recommended for use in cochlear implant rehabilitation process.