The Participation Scale: psychometric properties of a South Indian translation with hearing-impaired respondents.

The psychometric characteristics of the Kannada P-scale were found to be sufficient for use with the participant group (literate, Kannada-speaking adults with hearing loss) who were assessed in this study. Further research is required to determine generalizability of the Kannada P-Scale among other Kannada-speaking communities. Implications for Rehabilitation The Kannada version of the Participation Scale (P-Scale) can be validly used with Kannada speaking adults with hearing loss. The Kannada P-Scale can be used for clinical/research purposes to assess outcome (specifically, change in participation restriction) before, during, and after the hearing rehabilitation process. However, education and socioeconomic status may have an effect of the Kannada P-Scale results and these factors need to be further investigated prior to wider clinical use.