The Reliability and Validity of Balance Performance Clinical Tests in Hearing Impaired Persons with Moderate Hearing Level

The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of balance performance clinical tests for hearing impaired persons with moderate hearing level. In this descriptive-survey study with repeated measures، 220 hearing impaired subjects with normal intelligence and moderate hearing level were selected as the statistical sample from all deaf and hearing impaired subjects who had participated in national competitions in Arak city. The scale (3) of Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test and motor performance clinical tests were used to collect the data. After checking the date normality، data were analyzed with intraclass and interclass correlation coefficients and factor analysis tests. The results revealed that finger-to-noise test with dominant hand (ICC=0. 79)، and with nondominant hand (ICC=0. 81)، time-up and go test (ICC=0. 76)، and tandem gait test (ICC=0. 87) were reliable. But، the dominant and non-dominant single leg stance tests with open and closed eyes were not reliable (ICC<0. 75). The validity of balance performance clinical tests was confirmed with factor analysis test. Overall، the finger-to-noise with dominant and non-dominant hand، the time-up and go، and the tandem gait tests were the most stable tests to assess balance and coordination of hearing impaired participants.