- Careful diagnosis from world-renowned ear, nose, and throat specialists. Go to Conditions Treated
- Groundbreaking treatments ranging from helpful devices to advanced microsurgery. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials to provide eligible patients with early access to promising therapies available only at Stanford Health Care. Go to Clinical Trials
- A collaborative team that specializes in hearing and balance support, cares for you with compassion, and prioritizes your needs. Go to Your Care Team
- Ease of access to providers, treatment, and support services at convenient locations across the Bay Area, making it simple to get the care you need—anywhere and anytime. Go to Connecting to Care
At Stanford Health Care, our specialists have experience with all hearing loss and ear conditions. When you lose your ability to hear—whether it is a mild or severe change—we help you figure out the cause with advanced diagnostic tools.
We also treat conditions that may lead to hearing loss or affect the health of your ear and surrounding structures. When it comes to complex issues, we collaborate with other Stanford Health Care specialists if needed to give you comprehensive care.
We see a wide range of conditions, including:
The Stanford Health Care Hearing Loss Program is part of the Stanford Health Care Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) service, ranked one of the top ENT hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
A cholesteatoma is a skin cyst in the middle ear made of trapped skin cells and debris that damages your eardrum. It can also grow and damage your middle ear, inner ear, and even your brain if left untreated. A cholesteatoma can cause hearing loss, dizziness, infections, and injury to your facial nerve.
Conductive hearing loss happens when sound can’t reach your inner ear. It develops from problems with your outer or middle ear, such as an infection, fluid buildup, or malformation of the ear.
Ear cancer most commonly starts as skin cancer on your outer ear or in the ear canal. Tumors can also develop in the ear canal, and may involve nearby structures, such as your mastoid (bone behind the ear) or inner ear organs of hearing and balance. Symptoms of ear cancer may include hearing loss, pain, bleeding, drainage from your ear, and weakness in your face.
Trauma to your ear can cause a number of injuries, including blood pockets (auricular hematoma), eardrum rupture (tympanic membrane perforation), bone fractures (temporal bone fracture), and bone dislocations (ossicular dislocation). These conditions lead to hearing loss and other complications, and often need surgical treatment.
The Eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your nose, draining mucus created by your middle ear and opening when you swallow or yawn to balance the pressure in your ear. Eustachian tube dysfunction happens when the tubes do not open or close properly and air gets trapped inside. The two most common types of Eustachian tube dysfunction are obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (the valve of the Eustachian tube does not open properly, most common in young children) and patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction (the valve of the Eustachian tube is stuck open).
Exostoses, sometimes called surfer’s ear, are bony growths in the ear canal. They usually develop from exposure to cold water and can cause hearing loss or infections. Sometimes, your doctor may have to remove skin cells and debris trapped by exostoses, or may surgically remove large exostoses.
Microtia is an underdeveloped ear that is present from birth. Microtia ranges from a slightly smaller ear than normal to the complete absence of your outer ear and ear canal. Treatment may include an ear prosthetic, surgery to adjust the shape of the ear and ear canal, or implanted hearing devices.
Otosclerosis is an inherited disease of the bone surrounding the inner ear (the otic capsule). The disease causes bone growth, bone loss, and bone scarring. Otosclerosis often causes conductive hearing loss and inner ear hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss happens after damage to the inner ear (the cochlea) or the nerves involved in hearing. There are many causes of sensorineural hearing loss, such as aging, exposure to loud noise, or autoimmune disease. Treatment commonly involves hearing aids or implanted hearing devices.
Your tympanic membrane (eardrum) is a thin piece of skin separating your outer ear from your middle ear. A hole in your tympanic membrane (eardrum rupture) can happen from trauma, such as a sharp object pushed into the ear, a rapid change in pressure, or an extremely loud noise. The hole can cause hearing loss and increase your risk for infections and skin cysts (cholesteatomas).
We understand how hearing loss and ear conditions affect not only your ability to engage with your environment, but also how your loved ones connect with you. These conditions can be challenging to navigate, but our specialized team offers treatment plans that work.
Our therapies allow you to live a full and vibrant life. We help you regain as much hearing as possible, improve your ability to communicate, and work to prevent hearing loss in the future. If needed, we partner with additional specialists, such as Stanford Health Care Neuroscience and Stanford Medicine Cancer Center, to treat all aspects of your condition.
Your treatment plan may include:
Sometimes we don’t need to take immediate action. Active surveillance means we’ll keep a close eye on your condition. If your condition worsens or poses a risk to your health, then we’ll discuss a treatment plan with you.
Medications help treat certain causes of hearing loss, such as ear infections, autoimmune problems, and otosclerosis. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat infection or corticosteroids to reduce swelling and inflammation in your ear.
We offer hearing aids to amplify the sound around you and change it into something you can hear. Our specialists work with you to figure out the type, fit, and settings that work best for you. You may receive:
- In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
- In-the-canal (ITC) aids
When hearing aids don’t work well enough, our skilled surgeons can implant a hearing device. These devices include:
- Bone conduction hearing devices, including bone-anchored hearing aids
- Cochlear implants, which preserve or enhance hearing, at our dedicated Cochlear Implant Center
We specialize in advanced microsurgery procedures to help improve your hearing. Your treatment plan may include surgery to:
- Fix the tiny structures and bones in your ear
- Remove blockages or growths
- Place an implantable hearing device, such as a cochlear implant
If your ear condition affects your balance, you have access to our Stanford Balance Center. Our team combines neurology, otolaryngology (ENT), rehabilitation medicine, and orthopaedic expertise. We do complete evaluations that help us make personalized treatment plans to improve your balance.
We offer all types of radiation therapies for ear cancers, which may include skin cancer or tumors in the ear and surrounding structures. Radiation destroys cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Our radiation specialists figure out the right approach for your specific cancer diagnosis.
To treat advanced ear cancer, you may need cancer medications. These medications work to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells throughout your whole body. We most commonly use a group of strong drugs called chemotherapy. Your doctor may recommend you receive these medications in pill form or as an injection into your blood vessels, muscles, or skin.
While we may focus on your ear, we care about maximizing your overall wellness. Your total health plays a role in the success of your treatment. We offer a range of support services to assist you and your family throughout your hearing loss journey.
Innovation Through Clinical Research
As a leading academic and research institution, we are always striving to find new techniques and apply the latest and best technology to your treatment. Specialists at Stanford Health Care ENT work with each other and with teams across the nation to spark groundbreaking research. We are committed to bringing you clinical trials that test new and better ways to diagnose, treat, and manage ENT conditions. Participating in a trial may give you access to the latest ENT therapies before they are widely available.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials for hearing loss.
Our providers in the Hearing Loss Program actively participate in groundbreaking research to find new and better ways to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss. We also collaborate with the Stanford Cancer Institute, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute to develop comprehensive treatments for complex ear conditions.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
A diagnosis of a complex ear, nose, throat, or neck condition can disrupt your life. We are here to guide you through every challenge using our Circle of Care approach. You have a team supporting you and placing your needs at the center of every decision. Our multispecialty team works together to tailor treatments to your needs. Depending on your condition, you will be cared for by our otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat and head and neck surgeons) and advanced practice providers. Together, we prioritize your overall health and give you renewed hope for a better quality of life.
Through teamwork, our doctors continually advance our approach to diagnosis and treatment and improve the care experience. At weekly review meetings, experts from multiple disciplines review cases that require more complex recommendations.
Our extended care team embodies the same cooperative spirit to provide support for all your individual physical, emotional, and daily living needs. Our goal is to maximize treatment success while minimizing the impact that hearing loss can have on your life.
Your Doctors
Otologic and Neurotologic Surgeon
Doctors in the field of otology-neurotology specialize in problems affecting your ears, skull, and brain. Otologic and neurotologic surgeons have expertise in treating these conditions with techniques such as microsurgery and implantable hearing devices.
View All {0} Otology And Neurotology SpecialistsOtologist
Otologists specialize in conditions and injuries relating to the ears. They have expertise in the structures and functions of the entire ear. These doctors diagnose and treat all ear problems, ranging from mild to complex.
View All {0} Medical OtologistsNeurologist
A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system, including those affecting balance.
View All {0} NeurologistsAdvanced Practice Provider
Our skilled physician assistants and nurse practitioners specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside your doctor. APPs can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. Our APPs meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider DoctorsExtended Care Team
Audiologist
Audiologists are trained, licensed, and certified health care professionals. They measure and evaluate your ability to hear, and have unique expertise in treating hearing conditions. They also measure your inner ear function as it relates to balance and balance disorders.
View All {0} AudiologistsNurses and Nurse Coordinators (RNs)
Nurses and nurse coordinators are registered nurses (RNs) who coordinate your care with your hearing loss and ENT team. They guide you from your first contact through follow-up care and help you find counseling, financial, and other support services.
Care Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient Care Coordinator: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and will guide you during your hearing loss care.
- Patient Access Representative: Patient access representatives can answer your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Research Coordinators
Doctors at the Stanford Health Care Hearing Loss Program participate in research efforts to advance the understanding and treatment of hearing loss and complex ENT conditions. Research coordinators help find patients who may be eligible for participation in clinical research trials.
Hearing Loss Support Services
Part of your care involves managing your emotional and spiritual health. We offer you and your loved ones services that can help you stay strong through your hearing loss journey, treatment, and recovery.
We strive to make access to care as simple as possible. We have a network of convenient locations across the Bay Area and a wide range of support services. User-friendly virtual health tools and video appointments help you stay connected with your care team from home. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We make it easy for you to get the care you deserve. Our team guides you through each step, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Hearing loss care is accessible and convenient at Stanford Health Care. Our scheduling staff can coordinate your appointments if needed, so that you can see multiple providers during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
HOW TO REFER
Email or fax a cancer referral form with supporting documentation to ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org or 650-320-9443.