Validation and Adaptation of the Arabic Version of the Skarzynski Tinnitus Scale

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to translate the Skarzynski Tinnitus Scale (STS) into Arabic, conduct a cross-cultural adaptation, and validate its psychometric properties. METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the STS were carried out in five main steps. A total of 152 participants were divided into two groups: 79 (52%) cases complaining of tinnitus and 73 (48%) in the control group without tinnitus. RESULTS: The scale required no substantial modifications during the translation process. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach α for each of the three subscales and the total score. The overall psychological distress subscale, Cronbach α was 0.815; for the functional scale α was 0.787; for the coping subscale α was 0.555; and for global STS, α was 0.921. The STS global score and the psychological distress subscale had extremely high consistency. CONCLUSION: The translation and adaptation of the STS established linguistic and Arabic cultural equivalence with the original version. Furthermore, the adapted version demonstrated good internal consistency. The results suggest that the STS is suitable for use in a clinical setting.