Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) Subscale: Intrusiveness
- Title of study: What changes are reflected in the TFI Subscales as individuals progress through the CBT4T process?
- The study uses 24 sets of Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) Outcomes
- Each person joining CBT4T completes a Tinnitus Functional Index initially, repeated and compared at Stages 4, 6, 7 and/or 8
- Data for this study is provided by 24 individuals using the CBT4T programme during 2026 who have completed at least up to Stage 4
- Of the 24 sets of Outcomes, 15 are current and actively participating in the CBT4T programme at the time of publication (August 2026); 9 have completed
- Individual qualitative feedback and evaluations (and individual TFI results) can be viewed in Reviews
Note: Flexibility is built in to CBT4T so that every person uses the process at a pace that suits their own needs and responsibilities. This means that some individuals progress more quickly / more slowly through the Stages than others. View CBT4T Enrolment
PART ONE
- Average Percentage Improvement (API) Outcomes for TFI Intrusiveness Subscale: 24 sets of Outcomes combines CBT4T Current / active group (15) and CBT4T Completed group (9)
PART TWO
- Average Percentage Improvement (API) for 9 sets of TFI Intrusiveness Subscale results: the CBT4T Completed group (9) according to their initial TFI category at CBT4T enrolment
PART ONE : Average Percentage Improvement (API) for TFI Intrusiveness Subscale
Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) Subscale Q 1-3: Intrusiveness
Conceptual content for the Intrusiveness subscale covers:
- Unpleasantness
- Intrusiveness
- Persistence
Preceding each question is "Over the past week..."
- Q1: What percentage of your time awake were you consciously AWARE OF your tinnitus?
Never aware > 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% < Always aware
- Q2: How STRONG or LOUD was your tinnitus?
Not at all strong or loud > 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 < Extremely strong or loud
- Q3: What percentage of your time awake were you ANNOYED by your tinnitus?
None of the time > 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% < All of the time
Fig 1: Average Percentage Improvement (API) at the CBT4T Stages for Intrusiveness TFI subscale Q1-3
Intrusiveness Fig 1
NOTE Outcome/improvement in Q2: How STRONG or LOUD was your tinnitus?
There is limited expectation of significant reduction in tinnitus loudness being a result of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. There is, however, expectation that "little and often, regular and consistent" breath work and relaxation daily routine has a very significant impact by regulating a dysregulated nervous system, that in turn has the effect of reducing tinnitus loudness perception heightened because of high levels of arousal causing stress/anxiety symptoms. Note: hearing aids can also provide significant benefit when tinnitus coincides with an aidable hearing loss
PART TWO: Average Percentage Improvement (API) for 9 sets of TFI Intrusiveness Subscale results: for the CBT4T Completed group (9) according to their initial TFI category at CBT4T enrolment
Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) categories:
- Category 5: 73-100% (very big problem)
- Category 4: 54-72% (big problem)
- Category 3: 32-53% (moderate problem)
- Category 2: 18-31% (small problem)
- Category 1: 0-17% (not a problem)
NOTE: CBT4T was developed specifically for those with an initial category 4 (54-72%) or 5 (73-100%) Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). It has proven to be suitable for those with an initial category 3 (moderate problem) over 40%, but those presenting with category 3 below 40% or an initial category 2 (small problem) TFI are encouraged to consider the CBT4T-6 Module course.
Intrusiveness Fig 2
< TFI Results for study cohort (including TFI Subscales Outcomes)