The THI questionnaire: psychometric data for reliability and validity of the Italian version

The main objective of this study was to determine reliability, validity, and reproducibility of the Italian version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) self-administered questionnaire aimed at evaluating the impact of tinnitus on the quality of life of subjects affected by this symptom. The questionnaire was presented to a sample of 443 subjects (285 men and 158 women; ages 19-86; mean age, 53) who were referred to our Tinnitus Centre in Rome and came from the entire national territory. All subjects reported as their main problem a tinnitus that had persisted for at least 6 months. Statistical analysis carried out on THI questionnaire results showed high internal consistency and reliability for the total scale (Cronbach's alpha = .94). Despite the poor number of items, the THI proved useful for the functional scale (0.86), the emotional scale (0.89), and the catastrophic scale (0.75).