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Overview

Disorders of hearing and balance can be distressing and debilitating. It is the goal of our doctors to listen to each patient, to see how they can help and to guide them every step of the way along a specialized treatment plan. At the University of Washington, we are fortunate to be able to offer the best medical and surgical treatments for all aspects of otology and neurotology.

Our doctors specialize in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the ear and skull base and are intimately familiar with the complex anatomy and physiology of the outer, middle, and inner ear, and the central nervous system connections as well as their afflictions.

Treatments:

Our treatment plans emphasize patient education and preservation or restoration of normal anatomy wherever possible. We place special emphasis on rehabilitation strategies designed to maintain and recover function using state-of-the-art medical and surgical therapies to ensure the most favorable outcomes.

We work closely with our UW Medicine colleagues in Audiology, the Dizziness and Balance Center, Rehabilitation Medicine, Neurosurgery and Neurology to provide comprehensive diagnostics and care. The result is an enhanced, coordinated approach to treatment of the whole patient.

Treatment options provided by our specialists:

  • Medical assessment for hearing aid clearance
  • Middle ear surgery for chronic infections, ear drum perforations, skull fractures and cholesteatoma
  • Stapes surgery for otosclerosis
  • Osseointegrated bone conducting devices (BAHA) 
  • Prosthetic ear reconstruction (Vistafix)
  • Cochlear implantation
  • Medical and surgical treatment of dizziness and Meniere’s disease
  • Treatment for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD)
  • Treatment in the Multidisciplinary Skull Base Tumor Clinic

Providers

Amani Azzaidani, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC

TEACHING ASSOCIATE; ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER
Azzaidani anchor links Overview Amani Azzaidani, DNP, ARNP, FNP BC, is a nurse practitioner and teaching associate in the Department [...]

Clifford R. Hume, MD, PhD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Anchor Links I am passionate about providing comprehensive and compassionate care to all my patients. My goal is to help [...]

David L. Horn, MD, MS

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR; VICE-CHAIR, RESEARCH
Anchor Links The goal of my research and clinical work is to maximize the communication potential of children with hearing [...]

Edwin M. Monsell, MD, PhD

CLINICAL PROFESSOR
Monsell anchor links I am blessed to have a long and continuing career as a physician, surgeon, researcher, teacher, leader, [...]

Elizabeth Paige Trythall, FNP-BC

TEACHING ASSOCIATE; ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER
Trythall anchor links Biography Paige Trythall is an advanced practice provider (ARNP) and teaching associate with UW Otolaryngology Head and [...]

Gavriel D. Kohlberg, MD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR; NEURO-OTOLOGY DIVISION DIRECTOR
Anchor Links Hearing and balance disorders can be life altering. I am committed to providing personalized care, utilizing state of [...]

Jay Rubinstein, MD, PhD

PROFESSOR AND VIRGINIA MERRILL BLOEDEL CHAIR
Anchor Links Otology & neurotology have made enormous strides in recent years. We are now able to not just rehabilitate [...]

Kathleen Sie, MD

PROFESSOR, RICHARD AND FRANCINE LOEB ENDOWED CHAIR IN CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Anchor Links I feel immensely privileged to help children who have craniofacial anomalies, abnormally formed ears and communication challenges. Helping [...]

Clinics

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Harborview Medical Center

At the Otolaryngology General Clinic at Harborview our multidisciplinary team is available to assess and treat all patients with any pathology/complaints related to Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.
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Seattle Children's Hospital

At Seattle Children's, we specialize in caring for children with a broad range of conditions, from ear infections to problems with hearing and speaking.
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Otolaryngology-HNS at UW Medical Center - Montlake

Our highly trained surgeons, providers, nurses and support staff treat patients with disorders such as chronic sinusitis, dizziness, cancer and the loss of ability to hear, speak and/or swallow.

Current Research

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Hearing and Balance

Anchor Links Our faculty are highly engaged in research to uncover new strategies for improving hearing and balance function. The [...]