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Factor analysis of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory
1Audiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. dmb29@cam.ac.uk
American Journal of Audiology
|August 5, 2003
Summary
The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) effectively measures tinnitus distress. Factor analysis confirms its unifactorial structure, supporting the use of its total score in clinical practice and research for tinnitus patients.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) is a standard clinical tool for assessing tinnitus-related disability and treatment outcomes.
- Previous research indicates high test-retest reliability and convergent validity for the THI.
- Factor analysis of the THI has been conducted on translated versions, but not the original English version.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a factor analysis of the original English version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
- To evaluate the psychometric properties and underlying structure of the THI in a clinical population.
Main Methods:
- Factor analysis was performed on data from 80 clinical tinnitus patients and 116 patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma.
- The study analyzed the factor structure of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
Main Results:
- The factor analysis provided strong support for a unifactorial structure of the THI.
- A majority of the THI items loaded significantly on the first factor.
- The total score of the THI demonstrated high internal consistency.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the use of a unifactorial model for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
- The study recommends utilizing the total score of the THI for both research and clinical applications.
- The THI's structure is validated for assessing tinnitus handicap.