Brad DeSilva, MD

Physician, Professor

Otolaryngology

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614-366-3687
Accepting new patients

Conditions and expertise

  • Tracheal Diseases
  • Tonsillitis
  • Tongue Diseases
  • Thyroid Diseases
  • Tinnitus
  • Speech Disorders

View all conditions

Locations

  • Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care
  • Ear, Nose and Throat Westerville
  • Ear, Nose and Throat / Allergy
  • Ear, Nose and Throat / Allergy

View all locations

Academics and research

Department: Otolaryngology

View my research

About

Gender
Male

Biography

My expertise is in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat). I have a particular interest in voice, swallowing, sinonasal and thyroid/parathyroid disorders. In my specialty, there are many medical and surgical treatment options that can make a significant impact in a patient's quality of life. Our multidisciplinary team provides patients with a tailored and targeted treatment plan for their specific disease.

I help my patients make informed decisions about how to approach their care. I provide all available treatment options and discuss important aspects of each. A well-informed patient can make decisions that contribute to a better outcome.

At Ohio State, we have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology while collaborating with other specialists. I work closely with other specialty areas such as pulmonary, allergy, speech pathology, gastroenterology and neurology to provide comprehensive care to my patients. We have the resources we need to really help our patients.

In my free time, I enjoy attending Ohio State football games, traveling and relaxing with family. This includes taking an occasional time out to coach my daughters' volleyball and basketball teams.

Highlights

  • Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019
  • Residency Program Director Department of Otolaryngology, 2011-present
  • Department of Otolaryngology Faculty Educator of the Year Award, 2010
  • Gahanna Lincoln High School Hall of Fame Inductee, 2012
  • Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list

Conditions and expertise

  • Airway Obstruction
  • Audiology
  • Cough
  • Eardrum Perforation
  • ENT Diseases
  • Facial Nerve Diseases
  • Facial Paralysis
  • Goiter
  • Graves Disease
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hemifacial Spasm
  • Hoarseness
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Hypopharyngeal Cancers
  • Jaw Abnormalities
  • Laryngeal Cancers
  • Maxillary Diseases
  • Maxillofacial Injuries
  • Mouth Cancers
  • Nasal Obstruction
  • Nose Diseases
  • Oropharyngeal Cancers
  • Otitis Externa
  • Otitis Media
  • Otolaryngology
  • Parathyroid Diseases
  • Pharyngeal Diseases
  • Rhinitis
  • Salivary Gland Diseases
  • Sinusitis
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Sore Throat
  • Speech Disorders
  • Swallowing Disorders
  • Thyroid Diseases
  • Tinnitus
  • Tongue Diseases
  • Tonsillitis
  • Tracheal Diseases
  • Vertigo
  • Vestibular Diseases
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis
  • Voice Disorders

Locations

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Credentials

Education

Fellowship - Laryngology
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
7/1/2008 - 6/30/2009
Residency - Otolaryngology
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
7/1/2004 - 6/30/2008
Internship - Surgery (General Surgery)
Mount Carmel Medical Center of Columbus, Columbus, OH
7/1/2003 - 6/30/2004
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
8/1/1999 - 6/13/2003

Certification

  • American Board of Otolaryngology
    6/1/2009

Academics and research

My research interests include treatment outcomes of patients with benign vocal fold lesions (nodules, polyps), outcomes for patients with laryngeal papilloma, surgical approaches and outcomes for patients with cricopharyngeal dysfunction/hypertrophy and Zenker’s diverticulum. Additional interesting include treatment outcomes of patients with vocal fold paralysis, and treatment outcomes of patients with paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder.

Research interests

  • Benign Vocal Fold Lesions
  • Laryngeal Papilloma
  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction/Hypertrophy
  • Zenker's Diverticulum
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis

Research Projects

Additional Research

  • A Prospective, Non-randomized Study to Evaluate Dysphagia Outcome Following Complex Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery Necessitating ENT Assistance
    This study will examine outcomes and risk factors for postoperative dysphagia in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) patients whose cases required ENT surgical assistance due to complexity.
  • Prospective Analysis of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for SLN Neuropathy
    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the superior laryngeal nerve block in improving cough symptoms and to identify predictors of which patients are most likely to benefit from the injection.
  • Investigating Demographic Contributors to Spasmodic Dysphonia
    This study will examine how demographic factors, including ethnicity, occupation, and socioeconomic status, relate to the development of spasmodic dysphonia in adults.
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital Respiratory Tract Biorepository
    To collect and store biospecimens to support current and future basic science and translational research focused on the respiratory tract.

Current Research

  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
    A prospective, multi-institutional surgical dysphagia outcomes for Zenker’s esophageal diverticulum.
  • Medialization Laryngoplasty in Immunosuppressed Patients
    To evaluate the benefits and complications of medialization laryngoplasty in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, identifying any predictors of poor outcome or increased complication rate.
  • Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: Analysis of Treatment and Outcomes
    This study aims to evaluate the identification, treatment, and outcomes of patients with RCPD at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to assess current practices and improve future standards of care.
  • Comparing the Current Treatment Options for Neuropathic Cough
    This study will review charts of patients with neuropathic cough at OSU to identify which pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments most effectively improve quality of life.
  • Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
    This study will use tissue from laryngeal papilloma patients at OSU to develop cell models, identify genetic alterations, and explore new therapeutic options to reduce recurrence and improve management.
  • Voice Outcomes Following Transcutaneous Steroid Injection for Vocal Fold Nodules Combined with Voice Therapy Compared to Voice Therapy Alone
    We are studying whether patients have better voice outcomes when they undergo a steroid injection to their vocal fold nodules or polyps prior to voice therapy compared to those patients that only go through voice therapy. The hypothesis is that patients that undergo a steroid injection first may have reduced inflammation and lead to better voice outcomes/quicker recovery.
  • Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
    We are working to develop a tissue cell line with benign laryngeal papilloma that we can potentially perform drug testing on this cell line to see if we can improve adjuvant treatment options for laryngeal papilloma aside from surgery alone. Small specimens of benign laryngeal papilloma are being used from patients that are already undergoing surgery to remove their laryngeal/vocal cord papilloma.
  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
    This study includes many other medical centers around the country where we are looking at the best surgical approaches for treating patients with cricopharyngeal dysfunction/hypertrophy and Zenker’s diverticula.
  • Utility of Imaging Studies in Patients Diagnosed with Vocal Cord Paralysis
    We are studying the cost and benefit of imaging studies (CT scan, MRI scan, chest x-ray) performed in patients that are diagnosed with vocal fold paralysis when the etiology of their hoarseness and vocal fold paralysis is unknown.
  • Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD) in the Athlete
    We are studying the outcomes of all athletes (adult and pediatric) that have been diagnosed and treated for paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder. These patients have shortness of breath and have difficulty exerting. We are also studying the use of asthma medications prior to diagnosis of PVFMD and how this medication use changes after diagnosis and treatment for PVFMD. This study is combining adult and pediatric patients that are seen at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
  • Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy and Chronic Cough
    We are studying the use of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Blocks (Injections) to help treat and cure patients with chronic neuropathic cough.
  • Spasmodic Dysphonia
    We are performing population studies to better understand who is diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, possible inciting events that lead to developing spasmodic dysphonia, and reducing barriers to treatment that may exist.

Awards and Honors

  • The Ohio State University Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology Faculty Educator of the Year Award 2010
  • Gahanna Lincoln High School Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee 2012
  • Inducted to the Courage to Teach Society at Ohio State University’s College of Medicine April 2016
  • Exceptional Physician Peer Award Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center May 2016
  • Gahanna Lincoln High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee September 2021
  • Top Doctors in Otolaryngology, Castle Connolly 2017 - 2021

Academic information

Department:
Otolaryngology
Division:
Otolaryngology

More about my research

Ratings and reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

731 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.9 / 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.8 / 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 / 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 / 5

Patient Comments

  • Reviewed on Dec 19, 2025

    Professional and personal.

  • Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

    Although the procedure I get is extremely painful, the doctor Is very knowledgeable in his specialty practice and takes great care while performing the procedure.

  • Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

    Good good

  • Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025

    Excellent knowledge of my problem!!!

  • Reviewed on Dec 11, 2025

    Good

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 11/3/2025, Dr. DeSilva has reported no relationships with companies or entities.

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