This study assessed the test-retest reliability/repeatability and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and developed categories for classifying self-perceived tinnitus handicap severity Twenty-nine adults with tinnitus as their primary auditory complaint served as subjects The THI was administered on two occasions (mean interval 20 days) using a paper-pencil format Results support the contention that the THI is psychometrically robust Specifically, the test-retest reliability/repeatability was high Additionally, the 95 percent CI for the THI was 20-points, indicating that a 20-point or greater change had to occur from test to retest for a change to be considered statistically significant at the 5 percent confidence level Quartiles calculated from raw scores were used to create a matrix of values representing tinnitus severity We conclude that the THI is a brief, easily administered, and psychometrically robust measure that evaluates the impact of tinnitus on daily living

Psychometric Adequacy of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) for Evaluating Treatment Outcome

https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(00)79378-6/pdf

Health-related quality of life outcomes measures.

Meniere’s disease (MD) is a chronic illness of the inner ear that affects a substantial number of patients every year worldwide. Meniere’s disease may be classified according to different levels of certainty. The key lesion is the histopathological alteration of the inner ear called endolymphatic hydrops. In some cases, the aetiology of hydrops may be considered unknown, but in several patients, causal factors may be identified: post-viral infection, metabolic disorders like hyperinsulinemia, vascular disorders, autoimmune and food intolerances like gluten sensitivity. The key disabilities are vertigo or dizziness attacks, intercritical unsteadiness and fear of acute attacks. The main therapy is based on drugs and lifestyle amelioration. Rehabilitation may be addressed to (1) prepare the patient to imbalance provoked by labyrinthectomy, called vestibular prehab, (2) treat the acute vertigo seen after vestibular neurectomy or labyrinthectomy, (3) amelioration of intercritical unsteadiness, (4) manage fear of acute attacks and (5) decrease the frequency of acute attacks.

Meniere's Disease

Object. The aim of this study was to assess whether outcomes from excision of acoustic neuroma vary among patients and have a material impact on their quality of life (QOL). Methods. A questionnaire concerning postoperative symptoms and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) QOL instrument were mailed to 97 consecutive patients who had undergone acoustic neuroma surgery via the translabyrinthine approach. The survey response rate was 78% and the symptomatology was consistent with other reports, supporting the representativeness of the sample. The respondents' QOL was rated significantly below published norms and their work capacity was reportedly reduced. Specifically, the following SF-36 dimensions were reduced: physical functioning and role-physical, together with vitality, general health, and social functioning. Greater numbers of postoperative symptoms and larger tumors were associated with a worse rating of physical functioning. More severe balance problems were associated with lower ratings of social functioning...

Patient-assessed outcomes after excision of acoustic neuroma: postoperative symptoms and quality of life.

ObjectiveMeniere’s disease (MD) is a clinical condition defined by spontaneous vertigo attacks (each lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours) with documented low- to midfrequency sensorineural hearing loss ...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0194599820909438

Clinical Practice Guideline: Ménière’s Disease:

Objective: To evaluate long-term hearing results and quality of life in patients with Meniere's disease. Study Design: Detailed audiometric evaluation and disease-specific as well as global health quality evaluation of patients with Meniere's disease. Setting: Ambulatory evaluation was conducted in a large multispecialty clinic. Patients: Meniere's disease in only one ear, were at least I year posttreatment, were <65 years of age, had no neurologic or psychologic disorders, and lived within driving distance of the ambulatory clinic. Main Outcome Measures: Audiometry, the Hearing Handicap Inventory, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and SF-36 Health Survey. Results: No statistically significant differences in long-term hearing results were detected from natural history in medically or surgically treated patients with Meniere's disease. A significant disease-specific symptom handicap was detected. The global health handicap was greater for emotional disability than for physical disability. Conclusions: Medical and surgical treatment does not significantly influence hearing results in Meniere's disease. Patients with Meniere's disease have a greater emotional disability than a physical disability.

S A Sandridge

Papers

Long-term effects of Ménière's disease on hearing and quality of life.