OBJECTIVETo develop a quality of life scale for patients with congenital external and middle ear malformation, and to explore its reliability and validity.

METHODSThe initial quality of life scale for patients with congenital external and middle ear malformation was constructed based on quality of life scales from home and abroad. A total of 140 patients with congenital external and middle ear malformation had been recruited in the study. After pretest and item sifting, the quality of life scale was constructed, and its reliability and validity were evaluated.

RESULTSEighteen-item quality of life scale for patients with congenital external and middle ear malformation was constructed, which included three parts: physiological function, psychological status and social interaction. The retest reliability was 0.878; split-half reliability coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were 0.927 and 0.899, respectively. The results of factor analysis showed satisfactory construct validity. The reliability and validity of this scale was consistent with the demands of psychometrics.

CONCLUSIONCongenital external and middle ear malformation quality of life scale is believable and effective, which can be used for clinical practice.