A Russian adaptation of the tinnitus handicap inventory

Objective: To establish a Russian version of the English THI. Design: The English THI (THI-E) was translated into Russian by two bilingual investigators, independently. The final Russian THI version (THI-R) was constructed by a third investigator, from the two translations. This version was administered to fifty consecutive patients at a tinnitus clinic. Participants also assessed the loudness of their tinnitus, and completed the Russian versions of the Beck's depression inventory and the state anxiety Inventory. Study sample: The participants were fifty consecutive patients (older than 18 years of age with a tinnitus lasting over three months) who were treated at a tinnitus clinic. Results: A very good internal consistency was found (alpha = 0.94), with significant correlation between the THI-R score and the Beck depression inventory score. Factor analysis confirmed a uni-dimensional structure of the inventory. Conclusions: A valid and reliable THI-R questionnaire was constructed.