Hyperacusis surgery: The lifechanging effects of round and oval window reinforcement using a patient reported outcome analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient-reported outcomes following round and oval window reinforcement (RWR/OWR) surgery for hyperacusis using a concise disease-specific outcome instrument incorporating sound tolerance, pain hyperacusis, psychological well-being, and global quality-of-life measures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral neurotology practice. PATIENTS: Eighty-nine patients with debilitating hyperacusis who underwent round and oval window reinforcement surgery from 2014 to 2026. INTERVENTION: Round and oval window reinforcement surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A novel hyperacusis surgery outcome survey incorporating hyperacusis severity, pain hyperacusis, functional sound tolerance, psychological distress, and global improvement. RESULTS: 71.8% of patients reported that their hyperacusis was better or much better following surgery. Respondents reported a significant improvement in hyperacusis severity, pain tolerance, sound tolerance, psychologic distress, and global parameters. Overall, 68% (26/38) of respondents would recommend the surgery to someone who has failed conservative therapy for hyperacusis. CONCLUSIONS: Round and oval window reinforcement surgery demonstrated meaningful improvements in sound tolerance, pain perception, and quality of life among appropriately selected patients with hyperacusis.