Development and Validation of the Korean Version of the Cochlear Implant Quality of Life Questionnaire

Background and Objectives This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Cochlear Implant Quality of Life (K-CIQOL) and to evaluate its validity and reliability for use in adult cochlear implant (CI) users.Subjects and Method The K-CIQOL was developed and validated in two stages. In the development stage, the original English version of the CIQOL was translated into Korean, culturally adapted, and content-validated, resulting in two forms: the K-CIQOL-35 Profile and the K-CIQOL-10 Global. In the evaluation stage, 54 adult CI users completed the K-CIQOL twice with a two-week interval. Construct and convergent validity were assessed, and reliability was examined through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.Results The K-CIQOL-35 Profile consisted of six domains measured on a 5-point Likert scale, explaining 77.63% of the total variance. The K-CIQOL-10 Global demonstrated a single- factor structure, accounting for 66.51% of the variance. Both forms showed good convergent validity with the Korean Spatial Hearing Questionnaire. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α ≥0.91), and test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC ≥0.96) for both instruments.Conclusion The K-CIQOL-35 Profile and K-CIQOL-10 Global are reliable and valid tools for assessing the quality of life in Korean adult CI users, supporting their application in both clinical and research settings.