Hearing Handicap Inventory
Also written as: HHI — Hearing Handicap Inventory
A self-report questionnaire designed to quantify the emotional and social impact of hearing loss on a patient's daily life, used as an outcome measure in audiological practice.
Full Definition
The Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHI) series—most commonly the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE)—consists of structured questionnaires in which patients rate how their hearing difficulty affects social situations and emotional well-being. Each item is scored on a three-point scale, and total scores classify the degree of perceived handicap. In clinical reporting, HHI scores are distinguished from audiometric thresholds, as a patient may have a moderate measured loss but minimal perceived handicap, or vice versa. Editors should use 'Hearing Handicap Inventory' with initial capitals as a proper noun when referencing the tool, and should confirm whether the adult (HHIA) or elderly (HHIE) version was administered.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalise as a proper noun when referring to the specific validated instrument; clarify whether the HHIA or HHIE version was used.
In Context
- "Pre- and post-fitting Hearing Handicap Inventory scores demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in perceived handicap following bilateral amplification." — Hearing aid outcome documentation
- "Verify whether the HHIA or HHIE was used and update the abbreviation accordingly—they are distinct validated tools." — Editorial check for audiology outcomes report