Board-Certified
Head & Neck Surgery, Otology – Neurotology
Career Highlights
Dr. Voelker’s clinical interests include chronic ear disease, otosclerosis, cochlear implantation (adult and pediatric), vestibular disorders, skull base tumors including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, and glomus tumors. Her research interests include studying inner ear structure and function, and how that knowledge translates into treatments for patients with hearing and balance problems.
Dr. Voelker has authored numerous research publications and textbook chapters in her field. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Neurotologic Society. Dr. Voelker is committed to offering high quality, compassionate care to patients in her clinic, while pursuing scientific advancements in the field.
Dr. Voelker graduated with Honors from Brown University and earned her medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. As a Rhodes Scholar she earned her PhD from the University of Oxford in developmental neurobiology. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Washington University (Barnes-Jewish Hospital) in St. Louis and her fellowship at the world-renowned House Ear Institute and Clinic.
Specialties
Otology
- Chronic Ear Disorders
- Chronic Ear Surgery
- Chronic Otitis Media
- Cochlear Implants
- Meniere’s Disease
- Otosclerosis
- Hearing Loss
- Vestibular Disorders
Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery
- Skull Base Surgery
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannomas)
- Cholesteatoma
Affiliations, Education & Research
Articles of Dr. Voelker
These People Lost Their Hearing After COVID Months Ago. They Still Haven’t Fully Recovered
Another theory is that the coronavirus causes an inflammation cascade that damages the inner ear hair cells, Voelker said. And because of mounting evidence that shows COVID can cause abnormal...
PNI’s Cochlear Implant Program Gives the Gift of Hearing to Young & Old
The new Cochlear Implant Program founded by Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD, at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) has, since it opened in May, successfully implanted devices in 14 patients to create or restore hearing. Patients range from 5 months old to 81 years.
“When you turn it on for a child who has never heard before, it’s very moving,” Dr. Voelker said.
How does hearing loss impact quality of life?
In present times, people are living loud more than ever before! Adults and children are wearing their wireless headphones to stream music, podcasts, movies, and phone calls all day long. New parents are using noise machines at high levels to help their babies get to sleep. Concerts, sporting events, and even our car stereos are all giving us high doses of...
