Ear Surgery

UT Southwestern’s skilled ear (otologic) surgeons expertly evaluate and treat all types of ear conditions, including tympanic membrane perforations (a hole in the ear drum), chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma, otosclerosis, and tumors of the ear (such as acoustic neuroma).

Our highly trained surgeons also offer the full spectrum of treatment for hearing loss, including cochlear implantation.

Precise Procedures for a Variety of Ear Conditions

The otologic surgeons at UT Southwestern Medical Center perform all otologic surgeries, including auditory brainstem implants and surgeries to treat spinal fluid leaks from the ear, semicircular canal dehiscence, and facial nerve tumors located in the ear.

We are leaders in endoscopic ear surgery, which allows for surgery to be performed through a small ear canal incision instead of making a larger incision behind the ear. This approach allows for less pain and faster recovery.

Conditions Treated with Ear Surgery

UT Southwestern’s otologic surgeons treat ear conditions that include:

• Chronic/severe ear infection that has not responded to medical treatment
• Hole in the ear drum
• Damaged ear bones
• Cholesteatoma
• Otosclerosis
• Tumors of the ear
• Acoustic neuromas/vestibular schwannomas
• Glomus tumors
• Superior canal dehiscence
• Spinal fluid leaks of the ear
• Cholesterol granulomas

Types of Ear Surgery

UT Southwestern’s otologic surgeons perform surgeries that include:

• Tympanoplasty to repair a damaged eardrum and/or to repair damaged ear bones
• Mastoidectomy to remove chronic infection or cholesteatoma
• Repair of spinal fluid leaks
• Surgical removal and stereotactic radiosurgery of acoustic neuromas
• Repair of superior canal dehiscence
• Excision of cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the ear
• Cochlear implantation to rehabilitate severe hearing loss
• Bone-anchored hearing implants

What to Expect

Complex conditions are presented at a monthly conference attended by ear surgeons, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and neuroradiologists to make the best recommendations for treatment possible.

Our clinics are located in the state-of-the-art West Campus Building, opened in August 2018, as well as UT Southwestern Pediatric Group in Plano and Children's Health in Dallas. In addition to ear surgery, we offer comprehensive audiologic services at all locations and vestibular testing services at our West Campus Building location.

Clinical Trials

Our team is active in clinical trials to improve treatments for patients. Recent trials include:

• Comparing pain between endoscopic and traditional ear surgery
• Expanding cochlear implantation criteria