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The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery provides comprehensive
diagnostic, evaluation, and management services to children, adolescents, and adults with
all forms of head and neck diseases. Medical and surgical treatments are carried out on an
outpatient basis as well as in the major Norfolk hospitals. The department covers all
aspects of head and neck diseases including the subspecialty areas of otology,
neurotology, rhinology, sleep disorders, laryngology (voice disorders),
bronchoesophagology, tumors of the head and neck, congenital deformities, maxillofacial
injuries, facial plastic and reconstructive problems, and airway obstructions. Its Division
of Oral Medicine supplies specialty services related to the dental and maxillofacial
region.
The Head and Neck Tumor Section
provides diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients with tumors involving the skull
base, throat, and neck. A complete team evaluation is available to all patients including
close cooperation with radiotherapy, invasive radiology, medical oncology, and
reconstructive surgery. The division is closely linked with national protocols for the
most advanced combined treatments for these tumors.
The Hearing and Balance Center at
DePaul is closely linked with the Division of Otology-Neurotology. This division provides
the most comprehensive services available in the region for the diseases of the hearing
system, balancing system, and skull base. All therapeutic and rehabilitation services for
diseases of the ears are coordinated through the Hearing and Balance Center. Patients with
profound or complete deafness may be candidates for the Cochlear Implant Program.
The Voice Center provides diagnostic and
therapeutic services for individuals with voice, speech, and swallowing problems. Advanced
acoustic and endoscopic procedures are utilized for both diagnostic and therapeutic
maneuvers. A full complement of physicians, voice scientists, and speech pathologists work
as a team in behalf of the patients.
A unique component of the Voice Center
is the Eastern Virginia Medical School Stuttering Program under the direction of
Ross S. Barrett, M.A., CCC. This program employs laboratory-derived principles of learning
in the development of new speech skills. The Eastern Virginia Medical School program is
one of the few sites for this diagnostic and rehabilitative work in the country.
Ear, nose, and throat problems of
children are managed through dedicated offices directed by fellowship-trained pediatric
otolaryngologists. These offices have a full array of diagnostic and therapeutic
capabilities including pediatric audiology and speech therapy.
The department provides a major
component of the Sleep Disorders Center
program, jointly run with Sentara Norfolk General
Hospital. A full range of medical, dental, and surgical treatments for sleep disorders is
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