Assessment of tinnitus-related impairments and disabilities using the German THI-12: Sensitivity and stability of the scale over time

Objective: To evaluate the reliability, dimensionality, predictive validity, construct validity, and sensitivity to change of the THI-12 total and sub-scales as diagnostic aids to describe and quantify tinnitus-evoked reactions and evaluate treatment efficacy.

Design: Explorative analysis of the German tinnitus handicap inventory (THI-12) to assess potential sensitivity to tinnitus therapy in placebo-controlled randomized studies.


Correlation analysis, including Cronbach's coefficient alpha alpha and explorative common factor analysis (EFA), was conducted within and between assessments to demonstrate the construct validity, dimensionality, and factorial structure of the THI-12.


Study sample: N == 618 patients suffering from subjective tinnitus who were to be screened to participate in a randomized, placebo-controlled, 16-week, longitudinal study.


Results: The THI-12 can reliably diagnose tinnitus-related impairments and disabilities and assess changes over time. The test--retest coefficient for neighboured visits was r > 0.69, the internal consistency of the THI-12 total score was alpha alpha <= 0.79 and alpha alpha <= 0.89 at subsequent visits. Predictability of THI-12 total score and overall variance increased with successive measurements. The three-factorial structure allowed for evaluation of factors that affect aspects of patients'' health-related quality of life. Conclusions: The THI-12, with its three-factorial structure, is a simple, reliable, and valid instrument for the diagnosis and assessment of tinnitus and associated impairment over time.

fuente: International Journal of Audiology 2011;Vol 50(8):523 529