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.
Objectives: To update the concept of hyperacusis and to evaluate its handicap through a Spanish validation of the Geräuschüberempfindlichkeit (GUF).
Patients: Forty patients referred to our Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic in the University Hospital, between October 2004 and February 2005.
Outcome measures: 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.