Otolaryngology researchers present latest science at ARO meeting

Faculty, research staff, and one resident presented their latest science at the 2020 Midwinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO). This annual meeting is the largest assembly of hearing scientists in the world and features primarily basic and applied science related to hearing, deafness and balance. Overall, 1,328 abstracts were submitted. The […]

Improving patient access

Dr. Dunsky with pediatric patient

The Department of Otolaryngology is working hard to improve the patient experience. Allison Ogden, MD, is heading the “Patient Access” committee and reports on the group’s progress to make every phase of the patient experience better. What is the project to expand access?  “Patient access” in the ENT Department means that patients should see the […]

The surgeon-scientist who works to remove scalpels

photo of alums at recent AAO meeting

Crafting furniture in his garage, Clint T. Allen, MD, carves away at oak and walnut, one day creating cabinets or, on another, maybe a countertop for his new bar. An otolaryngologist who trained at Washington University School of Medicine, Allen is like many of his fellow surgeons: he enjoys using sharp tools. Yet when it […]

Q & A with Maria Harrington

Photo of Harrington family

What is your title and how long have you worked for the department? I was hired by Oto in 1993 as a receptionist, then worked for a while as a secretary to the business manager and accounting manager. A couple years later I accepted the position of Senior Program Coordinator, a title which predates the […]

Medical students present, earn recognition at national conference

Med students pose with Triologic poster

Medical students working in research labs in the Department of Otolaryngology recently presented and earned recognition at the Triological Society’s Combined Sections Meeting, a national conference that features all otolaryngology specialties. Erik Nakken (Washington University School of Medicine) and Smrithi Chidambaram (St. Louis University School of Medicine) scored first place for their poster presentation, Sociodemographic […]

Speech-language pathologists help patients regain function

Some of the greatest difficulties that accompany head and neck cancer is the loss of speech and swallowing ability. Basic functions of communication make us feel human and connect us with others, so their loss can be devastating. Our team of specially trained speech-language pathologists (SLP) helps adults with speech and swallowing rehabilitation after head […]

Noise-induced hearing loss blocked with drug compound

photo of fluorescent sensory hair cells and nerve fibers

The laboratory of Mark Rutherford, PhD, contributed to studies that show noise-induced hearing loss can be blocked while allowing hearing to continue. The work was published in the Feb. 3, 2020 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Popular YouTube science news channel SciShow has also reported on the story. Read more […]

WashU docs among 1st to implant BONEBRIDGE for patients with hearing loss

Washington University ENT surgeons are the first in the region to implant the new BONEBRIDGE Hearing Implant System in patients with hearing loss and single-sided deafness. The BONEBRIDGE by Med-El is an innovative bone conduction implant that transmits sound waves via the cranial bone directly to the inner ear, where they are perceived as natural […]

Q & A with Diane Athmer

How long have you been with the Department of Otolaryngology? I started with the department in October, 2001 as a clinical nurse coordinator. Prior to that I served as a nursing supervisor in the ENT department at SLU for three years. I’ve been blessed to work for some of the finest physicians in our specialty […]

Clinical trial hopes to restore hearing for patients with vestibular schwannomas

Patients deafened from a vestibular schwannoma have very limited options to restore hearing in their affected ear. Researchers at Washington University hope to change that paradigm. In a new FDA-approved clinical trial, the lateral skull base team will evaluate  a new Auditory Nerve Testing System that may allow tumor removal with simultaneous cochlear implantation. Currently, […]