Otolaryngology

UI Stead Family Children's Hospital otolaryngologists - ear, nose, and throat specialists - diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, disorders, and abnormalities of the head and neck region. These trained specialists care for a variety of conditions including hearing impairment, airway abnormalities, tumors, sinus conditions, cleft lip and palate, ear infections, and tonsillitis.

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Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT)

Otolaryngology refers to the diagnosis and treatment of the head and neck, including diseases, disorders, and abnormalities of the ear, nose, and throat. At University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, our otolaryngology patients receive truly exceptional care—advanced treatments that draw from the clinical, research, and training programs of one of the top otolaryngology departments in the world.

The care we provide

Our interdisciplinary care teams in pediatric otolaryngology—physicians, certified otolaryngology nurses, audiologists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, and others—diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of conditions that affect children of all ages, including:

Hearing impairment
Congenital or late-onset airway abnormalities unique to children
Head and neck tumors, including treatment for hemangiomas and lymphatic malformations
Rhinitis and sinusitis—our pediatric otolaryngology care team specializes in endoscopic sinus surgery for children

Cleft lip and palate
Speech, swallowing, voice, and language issues
Recurrent and chronic salivary gland problems
Common pediatric conditions such as ear infections (otitis media) and chronic tonsillitis

Our Clinical Services

Cleft Palate

Our cleft palate and craniofacial experts see patients with cleft lips or cleft palate.

Eye and Ear Genetics Clinic

The Eye and Ear Genetics Clinic treats patients who lose sight and hearing senses.

Pediatric Vascular Anomalies Clinic

The University of Iowa Vascular Anomalies Clinic is the only specialized clinic in Iowa dedicated to the care of children with vascular anomalies. Vascular anomalies form a group of conditions characterized by abnormal formation, growth, or development of parts of the vascular system.

About Us

For nearly two decades, the UI Department of Otolaryngology has been consistently ranked among the top three in the nation out of more than 1,200 ear, nose, and throat hospitals. Since 1981, we have pioneered the development and use of cochlear implants to restore hearing loss. We performed our first pediatric cochlear implant procedure in 1987; since then, more than 250 children have received cochlear implants at Iowa.

As a leading National Institutes of Health-funded research program, we are at the forefront of new knowledge in otolaryngology—from developing next-generation devices to pinpointing the genetic causes of deafness to exploring new treatments for inner ear disease and hearing loss. In addition, our training programs and long-established expertise in this specialty make us a valuable clinical resource for hospitals and other care providers around the world.

Our care teams also work with other UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital specialists, including colleagues in gastroenterology, pulmonary and allergy, endocrinology, oncology, neurology, and neonatology.

Leaders in otolaryngology. Cutting-edge research. Proven clinical excellence. It’s the most comprehensive, family-focused ear-nose-throat care available in the state—or anywhere. That’s what families have come to expect at Iowa, and that’s the care they receive at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Our otolaryngology services are also available for patients and families at UI Health Care–Iowa River Landing. Located at the Coralville interchange on Interstate 80 (exit 242), Iowa River Landing offers patients easy access, free parking, several amenities, and a state-of-the-art building for delivering outstanding patient care.

Otolaryngologist