Аңдатпа
Hearing impairment is a significant medical and social issue that negatively affects quality of life, emotional well-being, and social interaction. Efficient early detection of hearing impairment is crucial and can be achieved through brief and accessible screening tools such as the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly -Screening (HHIE-S) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults -Screening (HHIA-S). However, these tools have not yet been adapted for Kazakh-speaking populations.Objective: To perform cultural and linguistic adaptation, as well as validation, of the Kazakh-language versions of the HHIE-S and HHIA-S questionnaires for use in primary health care settings in Kazakhstan.Methods. The adaptation followed WHO and ISPOR guidelines and included forward and backward translation, expert review, and pilot testing. The study involved 40 participants aged 18–74 years. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest reliability was evaluated after a one-week interval. Correlation with audiometric data was analyzed.Results. The Kazakh versions of HHIE-S and HHIA-S showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.981) and strong test–retest reliability (r=0.84). Participants reported no difficulties in understanding the questionnaire items. Results correlated well with audiometric findings, confirming the validity of the tools for screening purposes.Conclusion. The Kazakh-language versions of the HHIE-S and HHIA-S are reliable, valid, and culturally appropriate tools for early detection of hearing loss. Their simplicity, brevity, and effectiveness make them suitable for use in primary health care and public health screening programs in Kazakhstan.Keywords: hearing impairment, hearing screening, HHIE-S, HHIA-S, questionnaire validation.