PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF A CHINESE (CANTONESE) VERSION OF THE TINNITUS QUESTIONNAIRE

Kam ACS (1), Cheung APP (2), Cahn PYB (3), Leung EKS (4), Wong TKC (4), Tong MCF (1), Van Hasselt C(1).

(1) Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (1) 1 Institute of Human Communicative Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (2) 2 Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong; (3) 3 Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong; (4) Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong

Background: The most commonly employed tinnitus assessment and monitoring devices for both research and clinical purposes are self-report scales. Tinnitus questionnaires are the primary tools for evaluating and quantifying the disabling and handicapping effects of tinnitus, and are useful as outcome measures in determining the effectiveness of treatment. Until now, no tinnitus-specific questionnaire has been available in Chinese (Cantonese).
Aims: To translate the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) into Chinese (Cantonese) and then determine its reliability and validity.

Methods: The TQ was translated using the translation-back translation method. The Chinese TQ (TQ-CH) was administered to 114 patients who attended the Audiology Clinic in three local hospitals with tinnitus as their primary complaint or secondary to hearing loss.  Factor analysis was done to validate the subscales categorized in the TQ.  Construct validity, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability of the questionnaires were also assessed. 

Results: The TQ-CH and its subscales showed good internal consistency reliabilities (α = 0.75 to 0.94) comparable to those of the original version.  High correlations were observed between TQ-CH and psychological distress, tinnitus-related problem ratings and severity ratings.  Factor analysis showed high construct validity of the subscales of TQ-CH.  High test-retest reliablity was observed. 

Conclusion: The results suggest that the TQ-CH is a reliable and valid measure of general tinnitus-related distress that can be used in clinical settings to quantify the impact of tinnitus on daily living.

Email: annakam@gmail.com