Physician, Professor
Otolaryngology
Department: Otolaryngology
As a head and neck surgeon, I provide cutting-edge, personalized care for the hearing and balance impaired. I also offer patients access to clinical trials and new treatment options.
I’m passionate about all aspects of the ear. What first interested me were the ear’s detail and small scale. Once I started treating patients with hearing loss and balance disorders, I realized how fundamental these senses are. Because of technical and surgical advances, we can now help most individuals with these conditions. Cochlear implants, in particular, can be a life-changing treatment. There is certainly room for growth, and I feel lucky to be a part of this development.
What I enjoy most about working at Ohio State is the level of commitment, which I find both remarkable and contagious. I am motivated knowing that each individual here truly cares about patients, providing excellent care and advancing medical science. I believe that this sort of passion is necessary to provide world-class patient care.
I feel lucky that I have been able to work as a physician. I think a medical license is not just a piece of paper, but a privilege, and I hope to serve my patients here at Ohio State.
In my free time, I like to play tennis, run, relax with my family and enjoy the outdoors.
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
My research interests include:
Electrocochleography in Cochlear ImplantationThis series of projects aims to establish the method of electrocochleography (ECochG) during and following cochlear implantation. This has been an ongoing effort since 2005 the initial goal was to establish an algorithm that would allow to monitor cochlear health during electrode insertions. This has since been realized and current projects focus on improvements to the present system as well as to explore this method for cochlear implant mapping, performance prediction, and other topics.
Utility of Residual Hearing in the Cochlear Implant Ear
This NIH funded and FDA approved clinical trial aims at establishing the potential of ECochG monitoring in cochlear implant candidates with substantial residual hearing and to determine the value of the presence and the amount of ipsilateral residual hearing on postoperative outcomes such as hearing and quality of life.
Cochlear Implantation and Single Sided Deafness
The aim of this project is to continue to enhance our understanding of the clinical parameters relevant when considering cochlear implantation in adult and children with single sided deafness.
Postoperative Imaging and Cochlear Implantation
This project aims to further establish the utility and clinical relevance of postoperative imaging in cochlear implantation.
Cochlear Implantation during Labyrinthectomy and Translabyrinthine Vestibular Schwannoma Resection
This clinical trials aims at evaluating cochlear implantation during either transmastoid labyrinthectomies or translabyrinthine approaches for small vestibular schwannomas. Both types of procedures sacrifice hearing and the patient’s options for hearing rehabilitation are typically limited to conventional CROS or BAHA devices. Cochlear implantation provides the only solution of utilizing the affected ear.
Additional Research
The research labs within the Division of Otology, Neurotology, and Cranial Base Surgery work on many other projects, including:
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.
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 Oliver Adunka has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
