Validation of the Chinese tinnitus functional index

Purpose of study: The objective of this study was to translate the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) into Chinese and then validate its use in Chinese Hong Kong patients who are suffering from chronic tinnitus. Methods: The subjects were 83 adults who attended audiology clinics with a primary or secondary complaint of tinnitus. They completed the Chinese versions of the Tinnitus Questionnaire and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The subjective severity of tinnitus and tinnitus-related problems were scored using rating scales. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Results: The TFI-CH had good internal consistency reliability estimate (α = 0.86), which was comparable to that of the original version of TFI. Significant correlations were observed between the TFI-CH and psychological distress, tinnitus-related problem ratings, and severity ratings. Conclusion: The results suggest that the TFI-CH is a reliable and valid measure of tinnitus severity and it can be used in measuring treatment outcomes.