Tinnitus Handicap Inventory

[Dubbyaman]

Well according to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory questionnaire on the ATA website, I have grade 4 tinnitus. I feel special :/

 

[UKJon]

Hi Dubbyaman. I scored around 22-24 on the THI. I live in the UK but the questions are the same here too. My biggest problem has been anxiety. The question that asks whether we have trouble falling asleep due to T doesn't specify if that means with or without masking or sleeping pills.

 

[NiNyu]

I didn't do the test but I bet I'm off the chart anyway.

@UKJon, if you need drugs or masking for falling asleep you are in huge trouble with T, I'd say.

 

[derpytia]

I got grade 4 too

 

[Frédéric]

Factor analysis and evaluation of each item of the tinnitus handicap inventory
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the availability of subscales in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) originally proposed by Newman and the possibility of other useful subscales. We also examine whether each item of the THI could be used to better understand the status of patients with tinnitus.

Methods
This study included 1332 patients who answered the THI on their first visit. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to the 25 items of the THI to confirm the usefulness of the emotional, functional, and catastrophic subscales. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to discover the availability of other suitable subscales in addition to the proposed subscales. The proportion of patients who chose "yes" in each item of the THI was also examined to understand the status of patients with tinnitus.

Results
In the confirmatory factor analysis, the emotional, functional, and catastrophic subscales did not fit the model. In the exploratory factor analysis, data were extremely biased to one factor. Examination of each item of the THI showed the tendency of worsening of comorbid symptoms when tinnitus handicap became worse.

Conclusions
As a result of the factor analysis, only the total score, not any subscale, would be clinically useful in the THI. Examination of each item of the THI was helpful to understand the status of patients with tinnitus and comorbid symptoms of tinnitus. It is necessary to consider treatment by taking these comorbid symptoms into account.

Full article: https://head-face-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13005-020-00217-3

 

[Pinhead]

Reviving this thread. I'm at a 95 currently. I'm surprised this Inventory isn't referenced more often for people here, since it can give us at least a number to work with when understanding how other people experience this terrible disease.

You can take the THI here.

 

[bobvann]

I scored high on THI, too; it's a joke. Even though the "handicap" part is supposed to demonstrate disability, good luck getting anyone to acknowledge it. Like all the 'pros" say, it's only a benign sound. My wife told me 2 days ago, when I was having a bad spike, that my left ear was really red and turning purple.

 

[HighleyTall]

With my first encounter with tinnitus (2004) my THI was probably 50-60. After a few months maybe 4-6.

I adapted.

Currently it is 78.

 

[ZFire]

These questionnaires are quite subpar, especially for research purposes. Sure, they have some uses and utility, but overall, they are largely unreliable.

Wake me up when we are able to detect/hear/measure tinnitus and gauge its severity accurately.

 

[IYIiKe]

I think the THI is useful for identifying acute distress from the onset of tinnitus. It's great for subjective reporting but nothing more. You can track it over time, but again, it is hard to distinguish tinnitus distress and other confounders like life stress and its influence. It's hard to get an objective measure of tinnitus, and even then, the experience is subjective, so there is no objective way of comparison. Though, some on this board apparently think it's a competition at times.

 

[bobvann]

We learn a lot on forums, like current 'treatments" do not work for everyone, and not everyone will be able to habituate. I love the way clinicians or anyone wanting to "sell" you their treatments say to stay away from the internet. They know dammed well that we will share the truth. Why should we have to shell out thousands out of pocket when we are paying into a healthcare system. This is some form of a medical condition.

 

[momus]

A number has nothing to do w/ my tinnitus. That is arbitrary, subjective data. Why not 1 to 5, or 1 to 1,000? My tinnitus is not numerical. Like for most of us, it goes up, it goes down, and the more I call attention to it on a conscious level, the worse it "seems".

Much of this depends on our surroundings and mental state. When I'm busy or really absorbed in something, my tinnitus may as well not even exist. If I'm in a quiet environment and focus on it, then it can seem very disturbing. But you know, that level is probably exactly the same as the times it may as well have not even been there.

Yep, now I hear mine. Before I typed this, I didn't! So measure that numerically, LOL. Now I'll hop on my bike or take a walk by the lake and it will "disappear". But I am 100% positive it will be at the same level it was when I was hearing it.

 

[Nick47]

I'm around 78 on the TFI (Tinnitus Functional Index).

 

[HighleyTall]

82.

 

[Jammer]

Who has the high score? /s

 

[sakrt]