Otology and neurotology

Your hearing and balance rely on communication between your ears, nerves, and brain. Problems affecting this system require highly specialized care. At Penn Medicine, you’ll find the region’s most experienced ear and skull base disorder experts.

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Our multispecialty approach to ear, balance, and skull base disorder

Many nerves pass through the base of your skull, including those that control your hearing, facial muscles, eyesight, and balance. A problem with these nerves can cause cranial base disorders and neurotologic conditions (nerve-related inner ear concerns), which can profoundly affect your daily life. Symptoms can make it hard to work, communicate with others, and do everyday activities.

Effective treatment for ear and skull base disorders requires the input of specialists across multiple disciplines. Our otorhinolaryngologists have advanced training in otology, neurotology, and head and neck surgery. They collaborate with experts in audiology, neurosurgery, neurology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to plan your treatment. When you turn to Penn Medicine for otology and neurotology care, you have access to all the specialists you need to see in one place.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials offer patients the opportunity to try new and effective treatments and take part in future research.

Second opinions

If you've received a diagnosis, our team of experts offers second opinions to grant you peace of mind.

Advanced diagnostics and intraoperative monitoring for ear and skull base disorders

Penn Medicine offers leading-edge techniques and procedures to diagnose neurotological disorders, including balance and dizziness testing, hearing evaluations, neurological evaluations, and imaging scans. We also use the latest intraoperative imaging technology, allowing us to see tumors in real-time as we perform skull base tumor surgery. This technology helps us operate with greater precision and accuracy, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding nerves and tissue.

Our advanced intraoperative imaging capabilities include:

  • 3D endoscopy: provides three-dimensional images and improves depth perception during surgery
  • Cranial nerve monitoring: helps us monitor and preserve vital functions such as vision, hearing, facial expressions, and speech during surgery
  • Interventional angiography: identifies blood vessels near tumors and helps to reduce blood loss during surgery
  • Brain mapping: produces highly detailed images of advanced tumors in your central or peripheral nervous system
  • TumorGlow®: uses a dye and special camera that makes hard-to-detect cancer cells light up during surgery

Otologic and neurotologic conditions we treat

Regional leaders in otology and neurotology care

Penn Medicine has one of the region’s highest-volume otology and neurotology programs. Every month, we care for hundreds of patients, helping them find relief from debilitating symptoms.

Because we routinely treat complex ear and skull base disorders, we’ve developed a skillset and depth of experience that’s unmatched in the greater Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Princeton areas. As a regional and national referral center, people throughout the country turn to us for treatments they can’t find elsewhere.

Treatment for hearing, balance, and skull base disorders at Penn Medicine

Our experts draw on a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments for ear problems, balance disorders, and skull base disorders. Surgeons at Penn Medicine specialize in the latest minimally invasive techniques to help you recover faster and with fewer side effects. In fact, we’re among the region’s only programs offering auditory brainstem implants for people with profound deafness. We also perform challenging skull base surgeries to remove tumors with minimal risk to the acoustic and facial nerves.

Our treatments include:

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Our doctors

Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.

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Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

Schedule an appointment

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