Advanced Otologic Medicine & Surgery

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The Department of Otolaryngology at New York University Medical Center provides state of the art comprehensive care for patients with disorders of the ear and conditions affecting hearing, balance and facial nerve function. Such problems are common. Significant hearing loss is present in nearly every family and, along with balance disorders, is a major cause of disability and diminished productivity. Many common systemic medical maladies including diabetes, atherosclerotic vascular disease and rheumatologic disorders, have effects on the hearing and balance mechanism. Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) affects over twenty million Americans and may be a sign of underlying ear pathology. Otitis media is the most frequent reason children visit doctors and myringotomy and tube placement is the most common operation performed in children. Additionally, many children are born with hearing loss or develop medical conditions (such as meningitis or jaundice) that cause early hearing loss. Proper treatment of chronic ear conditions and infections can lead to a healthy, well functioning ear. Tumors and lesions of the skull base and intracranial lesions near the inner ear are usually managed by a team consisting of a neurosurgeon and a neurotologist (ear specialist). Bell's palsy (facial paralysis) and other facial nerve disorders cause significant morbidity and require a thorough evaluation and management strategy.

The Department of Otolaryngology's Otologic and Neurotologic division is unique for the breadth of services it offers. The Center is staffed by well trained, skilled and dedicated professionals who interface with all other diagnostic and therapeutic services of the New York University Medical Center. Medical otologic examinations are performed by Board Certified and Fellowship trained Otologists and Neurotologists who are faculty members of the New York University School of Medicine. Audiologic services include routine audiometry, tympanometry, electrocochleography, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, otoacoustic emission testing, infant hearing screening, and hearing aid fitting. Language and speech therapy is also available. Electronystagmography and Posturography testing are available for balance disorder evaluation. State of the art imaging including CT Scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Super Selective Microvascular Angiography are performed when indicated.

Surgical procedures range from the commonly performed myringotomy and tube placement to the more unusual auditory brainstem and cochlear implant. The procedures are performed in the inpatient and outpatient operative facilities which are equipped with the most advanced technology. The equipment includes the CO2, KTP, and Argon lasers, the ultrasonic aspirator and extensive and elaborate microsurgical equipment. Chronic ear surgery, laser stapes surgery and several procedures for incapacitating vertigo are regularly performed by the well trained surgical staff. High volume and superb training are key elements of a cost effective, productive team with low complication and high success rates. A close relationship is maintained with the Departments of Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery for challenging procedures where the patient benefits from a team approach. This is especially important for tumors of the skull base, acoustic tumors and intracranial vascular syndromes that cause facial paralysis and facial pain. New York University performs the largest number of acoustic tumor surgeries in the tristate area. Procedures for facial reanimation after permanent facial paralysis significantly improve the patients function and sense of self. The surgical staff continually critically evaluate techniques and results, searching for ways to improve patient outcome and shorten hospital stay thereby reducing overall costs.

New York University was one of the first institutions on the east coast to initiate multichannel cochlear implantation for deaf adults and children and currently maintains one of the busiest and most successful cochlear implant centers in the world. Deaf children and adults receive significant benefit from the cochlear implant which provides patients with speech understanding and speech and language development. Through ties with the League for the Hard of Hearing the Implant Center facilities full post operative rehabilitation for children and adults. Additionally, the center is one of only a few institutions in the world implanting and studying the Auditory Brainstem Implant. This device can help patients with neurofibromatosis who lost all hearing from bilateral tumors affecting the nerve of hearing.

The evaluation and management of dizzy patients is another strength of the center. Emphasis is on cost effective diagnosis and treatment that returns the patient to productive functioning. The Vestibular Rehabilitation Center is a model program established for the treatment of balance disorders and is the first and still the busiest facility of its kind in tristate area.

Through affiliation with the University, the entire Otologic and Audiologic faculty conduct significant research searching for causes of and treatments for diseases that lead to hearing loss and balance dysfunction. The physicians, audiologists and research personnel are regularly invited to present information at national and international meetings. The faculty continuously expands a very long list of peer reviewed published articles on topics including anatomical and surgical approaches, results of cochlear implantation, mechanisms of hearing loss and treatment of surgical complications.

The Department of Otolaryngology provides excellent, cost effective, cutting edge total care for patients in a University Medical Center setting. All aspects of disorders affecting hearing, balance, and facial nerve function are evaluated and managed by a team of recognized experts with full access to the other excellent Medical Center departments and facilities. The New York University Department of Otolaryngology offers by far the most complete range of diagnostic and therapeutic ear-related services in the tristate area.