Tinnitus and Hearing Survey: A Polish Study of Validity and Reliability in a Clinical Population

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey (THS-POL), which is a tool for evaluating what proportion of patients' tinnitus is due to hearing problems and what proportion is specifically due to the tinnitus. The THS-POL was created using the translation-backtranslation method. Study participants completed the THS-POL twice over a period of 3 days. The test-retest analysis shows excellent strength of correlations (THS-POL subscale A r = 0.89, subscale B r = 0.9). For subscales A and B, reliability measured using Cronbach's alpha was α = 0.86 and 0.95, respectively, in the first administration and α = 0.91 and 0.94 in the second administration. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good 2-factor structure of the THS. Convergent validity evaluated using the Pearson product-moment correlation between subscale A (tinnitus) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory shows good correlations. In conclusion, the THS-POL is a valid and reliable screening tool to assist in deciding about the optimal management approach.