The Tinnitus and Hearing Survey-Hebrew and Arabic Translation and Adaptation.

OBJECTIVE

To translate, validate, and adapt the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey (THS) into Hebrew and Arabic and to evaluate its effectiveness in distinguishing between tinnitus and hearing-related complaints.

STUDY

DESIGN

The THS was translated following the six-step process outlined in the good practice guide for adapting hearing-related questionnaires. This included preparation, forward translation, back translation, committee review, field testing, and finalization.

SETTING

Otology and audiology clinics in a tertiary hospital.

METHODS

The study involved 100 Hebrew-speaking and 75 Arabic-speaking adults with and without hearing loss and tinnitus complaints. Participants completed the Hebrew and the Arabic THS and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaires, and their audiometric data were collected.

RESULTS

The average participant age was 50.4 years. Section A (complaint about tinnitus) of the THS strongly correlated with THI scores in Hebrew and Arabic (r = 0.83, r = 0.78, P < .0001), while Section B (complaint about hearing) showed only a moderate correlation (r = 0.47, r = 0.52, P < .0001). Section B scores, but not A, showed a low to moderate correlation with audiometry results in both languages (section B and SRT: Hebrew, r = 0.43, P < .0001; Arabic, r = 0.39, P = .0006; section B and high-frequency average: Hebrew, r = 0.33, P = .001; Arabic, r = 0.3, P = .01).

CONCLUSION

The Hebrew and Arabic versions of the THS are valid and reliable tools for assessing tinnitus and hearing-related complaints. They effectively distinguish between the two complaints, aiding clinicians in determining appropriate interventions.