Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Otology and Otopathology Research
As the world’s largest auditory science research center, our scientists are driving research that is advancing knowledge and moving the entire field of otology and neurotology forward. Our primary focus is on microscopic study of human temporal bones acquired from individuals with well-documented ear disorders.
Research Summary
Through the Otopathology Laboratory, some of our focus areas now under investigation include cochlear implants, auditory brainstem pathology, quantitative vestibular otopathology, biology of the spiral ligament, genetic deafness, and the molecular basis of otosclerosis.
Our temporal bone collection has been the basis of more than 400 original articles, book chapters, reviews, editorials, and books devoted to anatomy, pathology, and surgery of the ear. At present, our temporal bone collection, which is located at our main campus in Boston, contains more than 2,000 temporal bones, most of which were acquired from individuals with well-documented otologic disease.
Our staff, which includes specially trained researchers and post-doctoral research fellows, work to understand the pathology of the inner ear.
Ongoing initiatives include investigation related to:
- Hearing reconstruction and acoustical impact
- Cochlear implants
- Brainstem implants
- Investigating genetic causes of hearing loss
- Sudden deafness and autoimmune inner ear disease
Our Investigators
Our researchers are internationally recognized for their leading-edge scientific otology (diseases of the ear) and neurotology (neurological diseases of the ear) research. These programs not only help advance our anatomical knowledge, but they also strengthen clinical practices and promise better treatments in the future.
