Surgery at Otolaryngology

About Us

The Department of Surgery, Otolaryngology team continues to innovate surgical practice in ear surgery (otology) and cochlear implantation, facilitated by its strategic location at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

We interface lab-based and clinical research, producing highly productive translational research outcomes. We are at the forefront of research into cochlear implantation and the preservation of hearing and balance function during inner ear surgery.

Our laboratory research aims to understand the biological response of the inner ear to surgery and other types of stress, and applies drug delivery, gene therapy, and regenerative strategies to protect and restore hearing and vestibular function.

Recent highlights include the progression of our work on cochlear protection through steroid delivery to the ear from the laboratory to regulatory trials sponsored by Cochlear Ltd. This reflects 20 years of research progress, during which the Department has maintained its international prominence.

Preventing hearing loss and cochlear implantation

The Otolaryngology teams primary focus is on researching approaches to operate on the inner ear without damaging it. This is the key to saving natural hearing during cochlear implantation, and the foundation for emerging regenerative treatments of deafness and drug delivery to the inner ear. The work covers a broad program – basic sciences, preclinical research and clinical studies. Our latest innovation in drug delivery has been recognised by an NHMRC Development Grant “DaWinCI” with Cochlear Ltd from 2026-2028, and a Conjoint Grant with the Passe Williams Foundation.

The Department’s novel method for sampling inner ear fluids for the detection of drugs or other biomarkers has shown microRNA signatures unique to specific cochlear implant outcomes.

In collaboration with colleagues from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, we have now demonstrated that flexible polymeric optical fibres can accurately measure the position of therapeutic devices entering the inner ear, such as cochlear implants. This has been achieved without changing the mechanical properties of the implants significantly. The team was awarded a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Invention in Geneva for groundbreaking intellectual property in this space.

We have a significant focus on applying our intraoperative monitoring techniques to Cochlear Ltd’s precurved Slim Modiolar cochlear implant electrode. This involves measuring hearing during implant surgery and determining how specific electrode movements and surgical manipulations affect natural hearing. We have discovered that the “rules” governing monitoring are unique to each cochlear implant electrode design. This will guide future surgical practice for patients who still have residual acoustic hearing. This work has been awarded an NHMRC Development Grant “Hear Alert” together with Cochlear Ltd between 2026-2028.

Key Research Areas

The direct interface that we have between lab-based or clinical research, and direct otolaryngology patient care leads to highly productive translational research outcomes. Laboratory research seeks to understand the biological response of the inner ear to surgery and other types of stress, and applies drug delivery, gene therapy and regenerative strategies to the protection of restoration of hearing and vestibular function. We have a strong track record in developing new therapies in the laboratories and bringing them to clinical trials.
Otolaryngology is a leader in the application of Virtual Reality to surgical simulation, working closely with engineers and psychologists at the University, together with commercial partners to create sophisticated 3D rendered simulations that provide force feedback, and real-time training.
Otolaryngology has an interest in ear infection (otitis media) amongst Indigenous Australians, as this leads to early childhood hearing loss and contributes to disadvantage amongst these children. Our focus is upon large scale clinical trials.