Article Dans Une Revue Health Science Reports Année : 2026

Arabic Validation of the Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss‐Symptoms (NIHL‐S) Scale Among Civilians Exposed to Loud Blasts During the 2024 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon

Cynthia Nasr
  • Fonction : Auteur
Mohamad El Haj
Fouad Sakr
Sami El Khatib

Résumé

ABSTRACT Background Noise‐induced hearing Loss (NIHL) is a major public health issue, especially in areas of conflict where civilians are exposed to acute and prolonged loud noise from, for example, sonic booms and explosions. A lot of civilians in Lebanon suffered from severe auditory trauma during the 2024 war. Although there have been a few instruments for the assessment of NIHL, none had been previously culturally adapted and validated into Arabic. The study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss‐Symptoms (NIHL‐S) Scale in a Lebanese population experiencing noise pollution due to war activity. Methods Lebanese individuals ( N = 536, average age = 27.29 ± 11.79 years) exposed to loud blasts during the 2024 Lebanese responded to a self‐administered online survey. NIHL‐S was translated by forward–backward translation methodology and was culturally adapted. Results A one‐factor model of the Arabic NIHL‐S was supported by CFA ( χ ²/df = 4.01; RMSEA = 0.075; CFI = 0.931; TLI = 0.911). Internal reliability was acceptable ( ω = 0.85; α = 0.85). Configural, metric, and scalar measurements invariance across sex were established. No significant gender differences were found for NIHL‐S scores ( p = 0.726). Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between NIHL‐S scores and stress ( r = 0.10; p = 0.027) and Patient Health Questionnaire‐4 scores ( r = 0.35; p < 0.001). Conclusion The Arabic version of the NIHL‐S has good psychometric properties, indicating that it is a reliable and valid tool to be used to screen for NIHL symptoms in Arabic‐speaking populations subjected to war‐related noise exposure. Its presence addresses a crucial need for clinical practice and research in conflict settings.

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Dates et versions

hal-05618110 , version 1 (11-05-2026)

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Citer

Cynthia Nasr, Rabih Hallit, Diana Malaeb, Mohamad El Haj, Fouad Sakr, et al.. Arabic Validation of the Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss‐Symptoms (NIHL‐S) Scale Among Civilians Exposed to Loud Blasts During the 2024 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. Health Science Reports, 2026, 9 (5), ⟨10.1002/hsr2.72491⟩. ⟨hal-05618110⟩
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