Research
Research at the Department of Otolaryngology
The Department of Otolaryngology is dedicated to ongoing cutting-edge research in a variety of areas, from clinical trials to basic science. Some of the department’s current research programs include:
Cochlear Implant Center
Currently, there are two cochlear implant research programs. The first comprises the evolution of cochlear implants to determine the efficacy of new devices and programming strategies. The second research area is the development of alternative programming strategies, particularly for use in very young, language limited children.
Pediatric Otolaryngology Division
Aside from clinical projects, basic science research in cartilage tissue engineering has been initiated in an established tissue culture laboratory.
Sinus and Voice Research
Residents, fellows and visitors from around the world may now benefit and use equipment for their research efforts in a learning laboratory.
Ear Institute Research
The Ear Institute has focused on several major research projects including:
- The development of new ear function tests using otoacoustic emissions.
- Increasing the knowledge about the fundamental basis of noise-and drug induced damage to hearing.
- The study of basic receptor mechanisms underlying both the function of the normal and damaged ear at the molecular level.
The work of the Ear Institute’s researchers has yielded tremendous advances in understanding the mechanisms of hearing and treating deafness.
These major research programs are supported, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders).
Head and Neck Research
Fundamental research is performed in collaboration with several of the defined research programs within the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Members of the Head and Neck Oncology Group work most closely with the Tumor Cell Biology Research Program, the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program and the Clinical Oncology Research Program.
Clinical Head and Neck Research
This group is conducting prospective clinical trials to test the effectiveness of novel combinations of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to increase cure rates and ultimately improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancers.
Variables being tested include new types of treatment, amount of treatment, as well as new reconstructive surgical procedures and new methods of rehabilitation. Other trials test new drugs and new therapeutic strategies in patients who have developed recurrent cancers after receiving conventional therapy.