AAO-HNS/F Network Search

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that the following tests are medically indicated and appropriate in the evaluation of certain persons with suspected balance or dizziness disorders: Rotational chair step velocity testing Rotational chair sinusoidal harmonic acceleration testing Rotational chair high…

Hearing loss and balance disorders are medical conditions. Only licensed physicians with a medical school degree and medical training (MD or DO) may diagnose and direct the management of diseases and medical disorders. A full history and physical examination by a physician (preferably an…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that the following tests or evaluation tools are medically indicated and appropriate in the evaluation or  therapy of certain persons with suspected balance or dizziness disorders: Static platform posturography Computerized static platform posturography Computerized dynamic…

Ototoxicity refers to injury of the inner ear as the result of exposure to chemicals or medications. When use of an ototoxic medication is medically necessary with no reasonable alternatives, the lowest therapeutic dose should be used. In addition, simultaneous use of multiple ototoxic medications…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that after general surgical training an otolaryngology resident spends four years being educated and trained in the head and neck region. The normal and abnormal functioning of the ear and its related structures is a…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that complications may occur following the placement of middle-ear ventilation tubes. Early recognition and treatment of these complications, as well as monitoring the efficacy of pressure equalizing tubes, are best achieved by follow-up…

The position of the AAO-HNS is that tympanostomy tubes are safe and effective for managing otitis media in children who meet current guidelines for tube insertion . Although insertion of tympanostomy tubes in children is generally accomplished in the operating room under general anesthesia, insertion…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery states: dispensing of hearing aids, hearing assistive devices and other hearing rehabilitation devices are within the scope of practice for otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons. Approved July 1982 Reviewed July 2025 Important Disclaimer Notice (updated 7/31…

Hearing loss is a medical condition requiring evaluation, diagnosis, and discussion of treatment options by a qualified physician, such as an Otolaryngologist – Head and Neck Surgeon. Good health practice requires that an assessment for hearing loss should include a medical evaluation by a physician prior…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery believes that physicians should not be required to report their patients with disorders of equilibrium to drivers licensing boards. Physicians should cooperate with such boards if given permission by their patients to give medical information that…

Children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss should be fitted with hearing aids by an experienced audiologist. When using amplification, children should be monitored closely to ensure expected progress according to age appropriate developmental milestones, especially in speech and language.  The position of the American Academy…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery considers bone conduction hearing devices (BCHD) as appropriate, and in some cases preferred, for the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss.  BCHD may also be indicated in select patients with single-sided deafness. BCHD include…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery considers active middle ear implants as appropriate treatment for adults with moderate to severe hearing loss when performed by a qualified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. Based on available literature demonstrating that clinically selected adults receive…

Become a Member of Project 535 Successful legislative advocacy starts with a solid grassroots foundation. To ensure the message of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery is heard broadly on Capitol Hill, the AAO-HNS launched PROJECT 535 in 2015. Our goal is to recruit…

Since its inception, the AAO-HNSF has cultivated ties to national otolaryngology societies and similar organizations around the world through the Academy's International Corresponding Societies program. AAO-HNSF assigns great importance to these relationships, which collectively advance the otolaryngology specialty in ways no…

Rationale & Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an integral part of diagnostic workup and monitoring for many clinical problems, and its use in the United States has increased dramatically over the last 25 years.1-3  Both 1.5T and 3T machines are widely used…

Stephen P. Cragle, MD, became the first AAO-HNS member of the newly revamped Project 535 to host a congressional site visit at his practice, St. Cloud Ear, Nose, and Throat, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on July 9. He welcomed House Majority Whip Tom Emmer…