The Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine continues to be a national leader in exploration of otolaryngology and human communication disorders. The department has made significant recent contributions to:

• Defining the pathogenesis of otitis media
• Examining language development in children with hearing loss
• Understanding the underlying factors contributing to head and neck cancer
• Understanding areas of postural control and vestibular-ocular mechanisms
• Studying the genetics of neurofibromatosis and vestibular schwannoma
• Identifying the underlying mechanisms of Meniere's disease

Active research in the department includes basic and clinically-related studies surrounding the molecular genetics of vestibular schwannomas; delivery systems for drugs to the cochlea and vestibular system; and implantable hearing aids and middle ear mechanics. Several faculty members serve on NIH study sections or national-level grant review panels. The department also actively participates in clinical trials in treatment of head and neck cancers and other disorders. 

In addition, groundbreaking work is being conducted to develop a virtual temporal bone dissection simulator in collaboration with the Ohio Supercomputer Center on The Ohio State University campus.