Tinnitus assessment: Chinese version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Psychometrics
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Tinnitus significantly impacts quality of life.
• Validated assessment tools are crucial for tinnitus management.
• The Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ) assesses tinnitus-related functional impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire (TPFQ).
• To establish the reliability and validity of the TPFQ for the Chinese-speaking population.

Main Methods:

• 116 tinnitus patients completed the TPFQ, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
• Audiometric evaluations and tinnitus matching were performed.
• Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and correlations (Spearman's coefficient) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The 20-item TPFQ demonstrated a Cronbach's α of 0.94; the 12-item version had a Cronbach's α of 0.92.
• Both TPFQ versions showed significant correlations with tinnitus loudness, THI, PSQI, BDI, and BAI.
• The hearing subscale correlated significantly with average pure tone hearing thresholds.

Conclusions:

• The Chinese 20-item and 12-item TPFQ versions are reliable and valid measures for tinnitus assessment.
• The TPFQ is suitable for evaluating and managing tinnitus in Chinese-speaking individuals.