The Department of Otology and Laryngology at the Harvard Medical School has a long tradition in clinical care, research and teaching. Formal educational efforts began in 1830 for what would be called "residents" today. The Departments of Otology and Laryngology were combined as a single academic department in 1932.

The Department has a significant research commitment with peer-reviewed funding of approximately 12 million dollars. The research focus includes basic translational and clinical research and laboratories in auditory physiology otopathology, cochlear implantation, neurochemistry, laryngology, vestibular disorders, laser applications, voice disorders, molecular biology of head and neck cancer, image-guided surgery, and cellular biology of the ear, which provide an excellent setting for understanding the scientific basis and future of our specialty.

At the present time there are 74 full-time Faculty members in the Department of Otology and Laryngology. All aspects of contemporary clinical otolaryngology-head and neck surgery including the subspecialty areas are represented by the combination of the four clinical venues.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Sponsoring Institution)

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) is an independent institution devoted to otolaryngic and ophthalmologic specialty care. The Chiefs of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology at the MEEI are professors and chairs of their respective departments at the Harvard Medical School.

The otolaryngology clinical services at the MEEI are provided by 35 hospital-based staff and 85 community-based staff. On a yearly basis there are over 51,000 scheduled outpatient visits to the Department of Otolaryngology at the Infirmary and another 9,000 emergency visits. Clinical service is provided in eight divisions, listed below.

There are over 7500 surgical procedures performed at the MEEI by members of the Department of Otolaryngology on an annual basis. Inpatient care is provided on dedicated adult and pediatric floors, each of which contains an intermediate care unit. Ambulatory surgery is provided both in the main OR and in a surgicenter as well as in a minor procedure area.

In addition to otolaryngology services, subspecialty care in otoneurology and head and neck pathology is provided. The Audiology Department provides behavioral audiometry, auditory evoked response testing, electroneuronography, VEMP testing, facial nerve monitoring, cochlear implants, and hearing aids.

A full range of vestibular testing is provided in the Jenks Vestibular Laboratory, and our Voice and Speech Laboratory provides a full range of both diagnostic and therapeutic services.

The Norman Knight Center for Hyperbaric Medicine provides advanced treatment for problem wound healing and radiation-induced bone loss.

Although it is a separate institution, the Infirmary is physically connected to the Massachusetts General Hospital. The professional staffs of both institutions cooperate to provide complete medical care to all patients. For example, the two institutions together form a regional trauma center. The Departments of Otolaryngology at the Infirmary, and Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at the MGH co-sponsor the Cranial Base Center. The Director of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and the Head and Neck Tumor Clinic at the MGH is an otolaryngologist who is Director of the Head and Neck Surgical Service at the Infirmary. The Infirmary maintains its own imaging facility, including CT scan and MRI, whereas interventional neuroradiology is done at MGH.

Subspecialties

• Otology/Neurotology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Facial Plastics/Reconstructive Surgery
• Laryngology
• Head and Neck Surgical Oncology/Microvascular Surgery
• General Otolaryngology
• Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
• Emergency Services