Content Validation of an Informal Auditory Skill Assessment Tool for Sinhala Speaking Primary School-Age Children in Sri-Lanka; A Delphi Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Hearing impairment impact on a child’s whole process of development (Lew et al., 2014). Even with correct amplification, children may not gain the full potential of hearing with the failure in determining the auditory skill level. The presenting study focuses on achieving this keynote based on an informal diagnostic tool. Objectives: To assess the content validity of a newly developed informal auditory skill assessment tool for Sinhala speaking primary school-age children in Sri-Lanka through a Delphi survey. Methods: Using the Delphi technique, panel of 10 experts were included. Content validity index, content validity ratio, and Kappa statistics were implemented for content validity. Results: The tool was able to pass at the level of first round of Delphi and did not require any further changes. It contained a high content validity of item based (I-CVl range: 0.7 to 1.0) and a moderate to high range of overall content validity of the subjected tool (S- CVI/Ave = 0.899; SCVI/ UA = 0.625). Conclusions: The developed tool was able to gain high-item content validity on each activity being compatible, clearly mapped, appropriate for the culture, and being appropriate for the discussed age range. It is proposed to be evaluated in clinical trials prior to being accepted as a formal assessment tool be used in Sri Lanka.