Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T04:04:08.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Assessment of distress associated with tinnitus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

E. D. van Veen ,
J. B. Jacobs  and
J. M. Bensing
E. D. van Veen
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
J. B. Jacobs*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
J. M. Bensing
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
*
Address for correspondence: Mrs J. B. Jacobs, ENT Department, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper focuses upon the quality of the Dutch translation of the STSS (Subjective Tinnitus Severity Scale), a scale which assesses the severity of tinnitus and the related distress. Research has been done on the psychometric qualities of this scale, its relationship with loudness-matching procedures and several psychological variables. Data presented on 104 tinnitus patients demonstrated the reliability of the STSS with a coefficient alpha of 0.71. Factor analysis revealed four factors: emotional distress, intrusiveness, annoyance and cognitive distress. With regard to the validity, significant correlations of a moderate degree were found with several unitary subjective scales measuring the same construct (rs = 0.50, p<0.001 and rs = 0.43, p<0.01). Correlational research demonstrated that the STSS is independent of the loudness of tinnitus as measured by matching procedures (rs = 0.00).

In contrast, significant correlations of a moderate magnitude were found with anxiety (rs = 0.33, p<0.001) and depression (rs = 0.31, p<0.01 and rs = 0.35, p<0.001).

Keywords

TinnitusPsychometrics
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 112 , Issue 3 , March 1998 , pp. 258 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arrindell, W. A., Ettema, J. H. M. (1986) SCL-90. Symptom Checklist. Handleiding bij multidimensionale psychopathologie- indicator. Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse.Google Scholar
Axelsson, A., Ringdahl, A. (1989) Tinnitus- a study of its prevalence and characteristics. British Journal of Audiology 23: 53–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coles, R. R. A. (1984) Epidemiology of tinnitus: (1) Prevalence. Journal of Laryngology and Otology (Suppl 9): 7–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erlandsson, S. I. (1992) Assessments of tinnitus: a review. Proceedings of the IV International Tinnitus Seminar,Bordeaux, France,August 27–30, 1991 (Aran, J. M., Dauman, R., eds). Tinnitus 91: 547–549.Google Scholar
Erlandsson, S. I., Hallberg, L. R. M., Axelsson, A. (1992) Psychological and audiological correlates of perceived tinnitus severity. Audiology 31: 168–79.Google Scholar
Halford, J. B. S., Anderson, S. D. (1991a) Tinnitus severity measured by a subjective scale, audiometry and clinical judgment. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 105: 89–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halford, J. B. S., Anderson, S. D. (1991b) Anxiety and depression in tinnitus sufferers. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 35: 383–390.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hallam, R. S., Jakes, S. C., Hinchcliffe, R. (1988) Cognitive variables in tinnitus annoyance. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 27: 213–222.Google Scholar
Hiller, W., Goebel, G. (1992) A psychometric study of complaints in chronic tinnitus. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 36: 337–348.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hiller, W., Goebel, G., Rief, W. (1994) Reliability of self-rated tinnitus distress and association with psychological symptom patterns. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 33: 231–239.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jakes, S. C., Hallam, R. S., Chambers, C. C., Hinchcliffe, R. (1986) Matched and self-reported loudness of tinnitus: methods and sources of errors. Audiology 25: 92–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meikle, M., Taylor-Walsh, E. (1984) Characteristics of tinnitus and related observations in over 1800 tinnitus clinic patients. In: Proceedings of the Second International Tinnitus Seminar. (Schulman, A., ed.). Journal of Laryngology and Otology (Suppl 9): 17–21.Google Scholar
National Center for Health Statistics (1980) Basic data on hearing levels of adults 25–74 years, United States 1971–1975. Vital and Health Statistics Publication Series (Series 11, no. 215). Hyattsville, MD: US Department of Health Education and Welfare.Google Scholar
Reich, G. E., Johnson, R. M. (1984) Personality characteristics of tinnitus patients. In: Proceedings of the Second International Tinnitus Seminar. (Schulman, A., ed.). Journal of Laryngology and Otology (Suppl 9): 228–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schreurs, P. J. G., van de Willige, G., Bronschot, J. F., Tellegen, B., Graus, G. M. H. (1993) De Utrechtse Coping lijst: Omgaan met problemen en gebeurtenissen. Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse.Google Scholar
Scott, B., Lindberg, P., Melin, L., Lyttkens, L. (1989) Predictors of tinnitus discomfort, adaption and subjective loudness. British Journal of Audiology 24: 51–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stephens, R. D. G., Hallam, R. S. (1985) The Crown-Crisp experiential index in patients complaining of tinnitus. British Journal of Audiology 19: 151–158.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tyler, R. S., Baker, L. J. (1983) Diffculties experienced by tinnitus sufferers. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders 48: 150–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vlaeyen, J. W. S., Geurts, S. M., Eak, H. van, Snijders, A. M. J., Schuerman, J. A., Groenman, N. H. (1990) Pijn Cognitie Lijst-experimentele versie. Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse.Google Scholar