# Psychometric Properties of the Bangla Version of Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale Short Form (NSS‐SF‐BV) Among Bangladeshi Individuals: A Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the reliability and validity of a Bangla version of a noise sensitivity scale among Bangladeshi students and adults.

## Contribution

The study provides the first psychometric validation of the Bangla version of the Noise Sensitivity Scale Short Form.

## Key findings

- The Bangla version of the scale has a one-factor structure and satisfactory reliability.
- The scale showed strong correlations with noise annoyance and weak correlations with stress.
- The tool is valid and reliable for assessing noise sensitivity in Bangladesh.

## Abstract

The Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale (NSS) was developed to measure the noise sensitivity of the students. However, until now, NSS tools have not been adapted or assessed for psychometric properties in Bangla. The present study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Bangla Version of the Noise Sensitivity Scale Short Form (NSS‐SF‐BV) in both student and general populations.

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with convenience sampling among the participants. A total of 793 participants completed the NSS‐SF‐BV, Noise Annoyance Scale (NAS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‐21) questionnaire in this study. The student sample consisted of 491 students aged 18–28 (M = 22.90, 41.8% males), and the general sample consisted of 302 adults aged 19–69 (M = 36.90, 50.3% males) from Rajshahi city, Bangladesh. The factor structure was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with two independent samples. 81 participants completed the NSS‐SF‐BV twice over a 2‐week interval to ensure test‐retest reliability.

The EFA confirmed the one‐factor structure of the NSS‐SF with five items, explained 52.23% of the total variance in the student sample. The CFA confirmed the unidimensional factor and approved the structural validity of the scale. Internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha and Omega demonstrated satisfactory reliability (student sample: α = 0.76, ω = 0.79; general sample: α = 0.75, ω = 0.79). Concurrent and convergent validity (student sample 0.86 and general sample 0.71) were found satisfactory. The model fit indices were acceptable. Positive and strong correlations were observed between the NSS‐SF‐BV and NAS (r = 0.381, p = 0.01), along with a significant, although weak correlation with stress (r = 0.089, p = 0.05).

Considering all the results, the NSS‐SF‐BV is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating people's noise sensitivity in Bangladesh.