Hearing and Balance

The UCSF Division of Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery is a multidisciplinary team of experts that delivers effective and comprehensive treatment for hearing problems, imbalance, and inner ear and skull base brain tumors.

At UCSF, we combine the expertise of highly specialized otolaryngology surgeons, audiologists, neuroradiologists, hearing and speech pathologists, nurses, and auxiliary healthcare professionals to provide the best clinical treatment and management of patients with ear-related problems. Our experienced team meets regularly to evaluate individual patient cases, to enhance clinical care and treatment, and to advance the field through active involvement in clinical research.

Please visit the Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery website.

For more information or to request an appointment, call (415) 353-2757.

Our team of medical experts is experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a wide range of conditions, including:

Areas of Expertise

Hearing Loss

Progressive hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss
Osteosclerosis
Eardrum Perforation

Tumors and Disorders of the Inner Ear and Lateral Skull Base

Acoustic tumors (vestibular schwannomas)
Meningiomas
Glomus tumors
All tumors affecting the ear, temporal bone, and posterior fossa

Chronic Ear Conditions

Drainage
Ear Canal Infection
Chronic Otitis Media
Cholesteatoma
Tinnitus
Exostoses (surfer’s ear)

Imbalance, Spinning, & Dizziness

Ménière's Disease
Positional Vertigo
Vestibular Neuronitis
Migraine Associated Dizziness
Superior Canal Dehiscence

Facial Nerve Disorders

Facial Nerve Paralysis
Bell’s Palsy
Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome

Services We Offer

Audiology and Hearing Aid Services

The Audiology Division is committed to serving adult and pediatric patients with hearing and balance related healthcare needs. UCSF Audiology provides expert and comprehensive diagnostic assessment of hearing-related disorders using proven testing methods and state of the art technology. Comprehensive treatment and management program is provided for hearing loss, hyperacusis, tinnitus and dizziness, vertigo and balance-related disorders. For more information, please visit the UCSF Audiology Clinic.

Our Services

We offer a full array of audiology-related services for all of your hearing and balance needs:

Comprehensive hearing evaluations
Hearing aid precision fittings with scientifically validated approaches
Pediatric hearing assessments for infants and young children
Hearing aid evaluation, selection among state of the art technology, and dispensing
Electrophysiological evaluation of hearing including auditory brainstem response testing and middle latency and late evoked potential testing
Aural rehabilitation
Custom hearing protection and ear plugs
Bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) evaluations
Comprehensive tinnitus evaluations
Communication and hearing enhancement counseling and strategies
Evaluation and treatment of hyperacusis and misophonia
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing
Balance and vestibular testing including videonystagmography, rotational chair evaluation and electrophysiological testing

The Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center

The Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center evaluates and treats adults and children who receive inadequate benefit from hearing aids. UCSF has been an international leader in the development and application of electrical stimulation of the auditory system to restore hearing for more than 35 years. The Cochlear Implant Team provides the most advanced technology and service to patients, including Hybrid Implants (combined electrical and acoustical hearing).

Cochlear Implants (Cochlear, MedEl, and Advanced Bionics devices)
Hybrid Electrical-Acoustical Stimulation Implants

For more information, please visit Cochlear Implant Surgery.

The Balance and Falls Center

The Balance and Falls Center assesses patients to determine potential causes of vertigo, dizziness and balance problems and recommends treatment strategies. Comprehensive services include videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), rotary chair testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and canalith repositioning. For more information, please visit the Balance and Falls Center.

Vertigo
Labyrinthitis
Vestibular Neuritis
Benign Positional Vertigo
Epley Maneuver
Videonystagmography (VNG)
Rotary Chair Testing
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)
Vestibular Rehabilitation

Skull Base Surgery

In collaboration with Neurological Surgery, the Division specializes in skull base surgery of the posterior and lateral cranial base. UCSF is a Center of Excellence for the management of tumors, infections, and injuries of the temporal bone and related structures. Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) and meningioma are among the most common tumors treated by our joint skull base surgery team. For more information, please visit Skull Base Surgery.