PURPOSE: The study investigated which hearing-related patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) are available for use within the Swedish hearing health care system. The study also investigated the translation process and psychometric evaluation of the identified PROMs.
METHOD: A two-step method, including a literature review and an online survey, was used. The respondents of the online survey represented public and private hearing-related health care systems in Sweden. Thirty-three hearing health care clinics participated, representing 20 of 21 counties in Sweden.
RESULTS: Within Swedish hearing-related health care, a variation in the applicable PROMs was found. Usually, PROMs were used for adult patients but also can be applied to children. PROMs were primarily used for post-rehabilitation evaluations or prior hearing rehabilitation for diagnostics and/or hearing need assessment. Most PROMs measured hearing aid benefit and tinnitus-related issues. Overall, the study identified 29 PROMs available in Swedish for which all but two were validated with the translation process described in 12 studies.
CONCLUSIONS: In Sweden, 29 hearing-related PROMs are available. Differences in PROM use between the hearing health care units were found, indicating a need for consensus and national guidelines.