RETEST STABILITY OF THE TINNITUS HANDICAP QUESTIONNAIRE

The test-retest stability of the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire was a ssessed for a sample of 32 tinnitus patients. The questionnaire is a s elf-report measure that quantifies the physical, emotional, and social consequences of tinnitus (factor 1), the interfering effects of tinni tus on the hearing ability of the patient (factor 2), and the patients ' view of tinnitus (factor 3). Retest stability estimates were obtaine d in order to determine the applicability of using the questionnaire a s an outcome measure following tinnitus management. High test-retest c orrelations emerged for factors 1 and 2, whereas factor 3 yielded inad equate retest reliability. Therefore, it is recommended that only fact ors 1 and 2 be used for documenting changes in self-perceived tinnitus handicap following medical, surgical, or rehabilitative intervention.