The analysis of reliability and validity of the IT-MAIS, MAIS and MUSS

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Infant-toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS), Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), and Meaningful Use of Speech Scale (MUSS).MethodsIT-MAIS, MAIS and MUSS were divided into 3 sub dimensions. 300 children with cochlear implants (CI) were included in the investigation. To assess test-retest reliability of these questionnaires, 30 children were selected randomly to be evaluated at a two-week interval indicated that there were no significant changes between test and retest. Furthermore random test analysis by different evaluators was also administered to 30 users.ResultsReliability test: Test-retest reliability of the three scales was proved to be satisfactory. All domains had correlation coefficients that exceeded 0.750(P < 0.01). The Cronbach's α of the three scales and their three domains were greater than 0.700. Reliability between evaluators of the three scales were considered to be satisfactory. All domains had correlation coefficients that exceeded 0.750(P < 0.01). Validity test: The evaluation of content validity by expert review showed the questionnaire had good content validity; The correlation coefficients between the overall scores of the three scales and their three domains were 0.699-0.978(P < 0.01). There were correlations among the three sub-domains but the strength of the correlations was relatively low. There was certain construct validity.ConclusionsIT-MAIS, MAIS, MUSS scales have good reliability and validity, and can be used to measure the outcome for children with cochlear implants hearing and speech evaluation.