The relathinship between tinnitus functional index and tinnitus handicap inventory scores in patients with chronic tinnitus

Abstract

Background and Aim: Tinnitus can affect daily life. The evaluation of the affected aspects of life quality is highly dependent on the sub­jects’perception. Self-report questionnaires have been used to identify these affected aspects. In the present study, the relationship between the Persian versions of tinnitus functional index (TFI-P) and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI-P) was investigated.
 Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted on 28 hearing-impaired and 27 normal hearing subjects with tinnitus in aged 18−60 years selected according to the inclusion criteria. Both groups completed the TFI-P and THI-P.
 Results: There was a significant and relatively strong relationship between the total scores of THI-P and TFI-P (r = 0.65) and also between the emotional subscale of TFI-P and the cata­strophic subscale of THI-P (r = 0.73). More­over, there was a moderate relationship between age factor and total score of TFI-P (r = −0.32), and between the cognitive subscale of TFI-P and age (r = 0.40). However, no significant difference was found between hearing-impaired and normal hearing subjects in terms of the total score and subscale scores of TFI-P. Fur­thermore, we found a significant difference bet­ween female and male subjects in terms of the relaxation subscale of TFI-P, and between dura­tion of tinnitus and the quality of life subscale (r = 0.33).
 Conclusion: The scores of the THI-P and TFI-P questionnaires are related to each other and they can be used for measuring the negative effects of tinnitus.
 Keywords: Tinnitus; tinnitus functional index; tinnitus handicap inventory

Asociación entre el estado emocional y el grado de severidad del acúfeno en una cohorte de 53 participantes

“…The TFI is more detailed than the THI because it has a wider range of responses (0-10) than the three responses ("yes", "sometimes" and "no") in the THI. However, our results are consistent with previous research that has concluded that both questionnaires are valid and sensitive to changes for initial assessments of tinnitus severity (Dehghan et al, 2020;Fernandez et al, 2023).…”

Comparison of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Functional Index as Treatment Outcomes

“…In accordance with other studies, a good correlation was obtained between the THI and TFI questionnaires at baseline and after the treatment [ 22 , 24 ]. At baseline, the THI provided a higher score than the TFI for a higher tinnitus grade but a lower score for lower tinnitus severity.…”

“…Thus, while the THI is the most widely used questionnaire [ 23 ], the TFI has been claimed to evaluate better treatment-related changes [ 19 ]. However, recent studies comparing the global score convergence of both questionnaires showed high convergent validity and strong correlation between them [ 22 , 24 ]. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to compare the ability of the global THI and TFI scores in both intake assessment and responsiveness in a cohort of patients treated with EAE therapy for four months.…”

Correlation between Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Correlation between Tinnitus Handicap Inventory

“…Hence some questionnaires have been developed to solve this issue. 9 Questionnaires can be used to assess patients' perception of tinnitus severity and its impacts on their life. Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) are the most widely used tinnitus questionnaires.…”

“…THI is a valid tool for evaluating tinnitus and monitoring treatment effect. 9 The adapted Indonesian version of THI instrument is valid and reliable according to transcultural validation principles by WHO as psychometric instrument on the quality of life in patients with tinnitus, therefore could be utilized as self-assessment of quality of life in patients with tinnitus. 10 The shortcoming of THI is it could not distinguish between sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, decreased social enjoyment, and hearing loss.…”