Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) Calculator

Assess how tinnitus affects your daily life with our comprehensive THI calculator. This validated tool measures the functional, emotional, and catastrophic impact of tinnitus, helping you and your healthcare provider understand the severity of your condition and track treatment progress.

Calculate Your THI Score
Answer all 25 questions honestly based on how tinnitus has affected you over the past month.

The Connection Between Tinnitus and Dizziness

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and dizziness frequently occur together, sharing common underlying causes and affecting similar parts of the inner ear. Many vestibular disorders can cause both symptoms simultaneously.

Common Conditions Causing Both:

  • • Meniere's disease
  • • Vestibular migraine
  • • Acoustic neuroma
  • • Labyrinthitis
  • • Ototoxic medication effects

Why Assess Both:

  • • Comprehensive symptom evaluation
  • • Better treatment planning
  • • Track progress in both areas
  • • Identify primary vs. secondary symptoms
  • • Optimize quality of life outcomes

Understanding Your THI Score

Slight
0-16 Points

Minimal impact on daily life. Tinnitus is present but manageable.

Mild
17-36 Points

Some interference with daily activities but generally manageable.

Moderate
37-56 Points

Noticeable impact on daily activities and quality of life.

Severe
57-76 Points

Significant interference with daily life and functioning.

Catastrophic
77-100 Points

Severe impact requiring comprehensive treatment approach.

The 3 THI Subscales Explained

Functional Subscale
Maximum: 44 points

Measures how tinnitus affects your ability to perform daily activities, concentrate, read, work, and participate in social situations.

High functional scores indicate significant interference with daily tasks and responsibilities.

Emotional Subscale
Maximum: 36 points

Assesses the emotional and psychological impact of tinnitus, including feelings of anger, frustration, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

High emotional scores suggest significant psychological distress related to tinnitus.

Catastrophic Subscale
Maximum: 20 points

Evaluates catastrophic thinking patterns, feelings of desperation, loss of control, and beliefs about having a terrible disease.

High catastrophic scores indicate severe psychological distress and may benefit from counseling.

Tinnitus Treatment Options

Sound-Based Therapies
  • • Hearing aids with tinnitus masking
  • • Sound therapy and white noise
  • • Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
  • • Notched sound therapy
Psychological Approaches
  • • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • • Mindfulness-based tinnitus reduction
  • • Acceptance and commitment therapy
  • • Stress management techniques
Medical Treatments
  • • Treatment of underlying conditions
  • • Medication management
  • • Earwax removal
  • • Blood pressure control
Lifestyle Modifications
  • • Sleep hygiene improvement
  • • Caffeine and alcohol reduction
  • • Regular exercise
  • • Stress reduction techniques

Related Assessment Tools

DHI Calculator
Dizziness Handicap Inventory

Assess how dizziness affects your daily life. Essential if you experience both tinnitus and dizziness.

Take DHI Assessment →
VADL Calculator
Vestibular Activities of Daily Living

Measure confidence in daily activities affected by balance disorders.

Take VADL Assessment →
PHQ-9 Screener
Depression Screening Tool

Screen for depression, which commonly occurs with chronic tinnitus.

Take PHQ-9 Screener →

Frequently Asked Questions About the THI