Translation and Adaptation of the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) Questionnaire into Malay

Abstract

Background: Most questionnaires designed to assess satisfaction with hearing aid (HA) amplification are available in English, primarily benefiting English-speaking users. This can create challenges when distributed to non-English-speaking HA users, as language barriers and culturally inappropriate items may lead to inaccurate reflections of their satisfaction levels. In response, this paper aims to translate and validate the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) questionnaire into Standard Malay to better capture the experiences of Malaysian HA users, who predominantly speak Malay. Methods: To achieve these aims, the original SADL questionnaire (Cox & Alexander, 1999) was translated and adapted through a multi-stage process to ensure cultural relevance and linguistic appropriateness for Malay-speaking participants. The translated questionnaire then underwent content and face validation, followed by an assessment of its internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: During translation, several linguistic modifications were made to adjust morphology and syntax for Malay. After content validation, additional revisions were implemented to enhance comprehension for the Malay-speaking population. The translated questionnaire achieved a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.7, indicating an acceptable level of internal consistency. Conclusion: The Malay-translated SADL questionnaire reliably assesses hearing aid satisfaction among Malaysian users, with cultural adaptations ensuring accuracy and internal consistency.