CROATIAN VERSION OF TINNITUS HANDICAP INVENTORY – THI-HR

Abstract

In this study, we translated the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory questionnaire into Croatian language, and determined the reliability and validity of the Croatian adaptation (THI-HR). Tinnitus sufferers (N=130) underwent audiometry and completed the THI-HR, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised/Short Scale (EPQ R/S). Sociodemographic data on the patients and descriptive data on tinnitus were collected. The THI-HR internal consistency, construct validity, factor structure and repeatability were evaluated. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the THI-HR Total, Functional, Emotional, and Catastrophic subscales were 0.96, 0.76, 0.78, and 0.76, respectively. Moderate correlations of the THI-HR total and subscales with the three DASS subscales (rs =0.42 to rs =0.61) and the EPQ R/S-Neuroticism subscale (rs =0.56 to rs =0.64) were observed. The THI-HR factor analysis revealed that the original THI three-factor solution was a good fit to the data. Three factors explained 48.7% of the total variance. The test-retest reliability was high (rp =0.89 to rp =0.93). It was established that the THI-HR had high internal consistency reliability and good construct validity. The THI-HR is a valid and reliable measure of tinnitus complaint that can be used for assessment of the impact of tinnitus symptoms in daily life in the adult Croatian population.