Validation assessment of a French version of the tinnitus reaction questionnaire: a comparison between data from...

The present study compares the results obtained on original and French versions of the TRQ (Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire) initially published by Wilson, Henry, Bowen, and Haralambous (1991) in English to evaluate the psychological distress of tinnitus sufferers. Reliability and validity of the French translation were determined using data from 173 normal hearing or hearing-impaired patients with tinnitus lasting from 1 month to 41 years. They completed the translated questionnaire and a short version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The results indicated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .94), and the reliability of the French version of the TRQ was demonstrated, except for items 5 and 20. High statistically significant correlations were found between the TRQ and Depression, Psychaesthenia, and Anxiety Mini-Mult subscales. The validation demonstrates only minor effects of language. The French version of the TRQ thus is an equally valid tool as the original English version for evaluating tinnitus distress of a patient.