What is Otolaryngology?

Otolaryngology is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat. 

The Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics is the State of Iowa’s most important tertiary healthcare provider drawing over 27,000 patients from around the United States.

The Department is organized into five broad medical divisions:

1. Otology/Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery 

• Audiology
• Cochlear Implant
• Balance Disorders Clinic/Vestibular Rehabilitation Clinic
• Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery

2. Head and Neck Oncology

• Speech and Swallowing Service
• Head and Neck Endocrine Oncology Program
• Voice Clinic

3. General Otolaryngology

• Laryngology
• Rhinology
• Paranasal Sinus Disease
• Facial Fractures

4. Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

• Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

5. Pediatric Otolaryngology

• Pediatric Airway Anomalies
• General Pediatric Otolaryngology

Supporting the primary clinical functions is a team of Audiologists, Speech Pathologists, a dispensing Hearing Aid Center and a comprehensive Cochlear Implant Center.

Presently, the department is staffed by 13 Physicians and 2 Academic Faculty.

The department contributed to the “Magnet” status awarded to the hospital and the clinic is staffed by Certified Otolaryngology Nurses (CORLN) each a care specialist within an Otolaryngology division.

Our clinic is equipped with 28 exam rooms a small “Surgi-center” for minor cases, 6 Audiology sound booths and a fully equipped balance disorders clinic.