[Assessment of hyperacusis: the self-rating questionnaire on hypersensitivity to sound].
BACKGROUND
Hyperacusis is a decreased sound tolerance. The audiological examination includes the loudness discomfort level measurement and the handicap evaluation, so we introduce the Spanish validation of the german sound intolerance questionnaire.


OBJECTIVE
To update the concept of hyperacusis and to evaluate its handicap through a Spanish validation of the Geräuschüberempfindlichkeit (GUF).


METHODS
Forty patients referred to our Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic in the University Hospital, between October 2004 and February 2005.


METHODS
The Spanish version of the GUF was performed after transla-tion and retro-translation. Internal consistency and reliability were established.


RESULTS
Spanish adaptation of the GUF and its subscales (cognitive, somatic behaviour and emotional reaction) showed a high reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach's alfa: 0.9007). Higher GUF scores were statistically demonstrated in hyperacusis patients with hearing loss (p < 0.05) or tinnitus (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Spanish adaptation of the GUF is valid, reliable and can be used in a clinical setting to quantify the impact of hyperacusis on patient's quality of life.
Herráiz
C
C
Unidad de Otorrinolaringología, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Madrid. cherraizp@seorl.org
de los Santos
G
G
Diges
I
I
Díez
R
R
Aparicio
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires