Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire: A Screening Measure for...

Background: Sound tolerance issues impact daily activities. Questionnaires effectively assess symptoms and severity of sound intolerance. The Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSQ) is a brief five-item tool designed to evaluate the severities of sound sensitivity and screen different forms of sound sensitivity.Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the SSSQ (P-SSSQ) among adults with a pure-tone average no greater than 20 dB HL without tinnitus symptoms.Research Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The questionnaire was translated using the International Quality of Life Assessment method. The content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were determined. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), receiver-operating characteristic curve, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were established. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed.Study Sample: A total of 100 adults (48 women) from the general population with and without sound sensitivity participated in the study.Data Collection and Analysis: Internal consistency was evaluated using the Cronbach α and McDonald omega coefficients. Test-retest reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) after a 2-week interval. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients.Result: The CVR and CVI of the questionnaire were excellent. The CFA confirmed a single-factor structure, consistent with the original English version. Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach α = 0.75; McDonald omega = 0.79). Test-retest reliability was excellent, with an ICC of 0.92. Convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations with the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (r = 0.571) scores, Misophonia Questionnaire (r = 0.453) scores, and uncomfortable loudness levels (r = -0.652). Discriminant validity was demonstrated by a weak correlation with PTA across ears (r = 0.175).Conclusions: The P-SSSQ is a reliable and valid tool that can quickly assess sound sensitivity symptoms with its single-factor structure and satisfactory model fit. It can be used as a checklist to evaluate various types and severities of sound sensitivity as well as to monitor treatment progress in audiology, otolaryngology, and psychology clinics. A score greater than 4 indicates sound sensitivity with 79 percent sensitivity and 82 percent specificity. Correlations with other questionnaires suggest overlapping sensitivities; therefore, the P-SSSQ is valuable for comprehensively classifying sound sensitivity.