Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI): development and validation

Record details

Authors: Meikle MB, et al.
Journal / source: Ear & Hearing (2012)
Design: Measurement-standard record (questionnaire development/validation)
Sample: Development/validation samples
Primary endpoint: —
Randomized: No · Sham/placebo-controlled: No · Independent of the manufacturer: Yes

What this research found

The TFI (0–100) measures tinnitus IMPACT/severity across 8 domains and was designed to be responsive to treatment change; a reduction of about 13 points is the commonly used threshold for meaningful improvement. It measures how much tinnitus affects a person — NOT how loud the tinnitus is.

This is the provenance for the ≥13-point 'clinically meaningful' TFI threshold used on this site.

Limitations and conflicts of interest

See the record summary above.

Funding / conflicts: Independent.

Primary sources

Context record — informs the platform without serving as treatment evidence.

This is an original summary from the Tinnitus Evidence verified database, checked against the primary source — not a reproduction of the publisher's abstract.