Surgical Science

Surgical Science

Advancing Surgical Science and Clinical Innovation

The Surgical Science team brings together clinicians, medical doctors and researchers working at the intersection of science and surgical care. Their focus is on translating research into real-world clinical outcomes, particularly in the development of new drugs and treatments for hearing loss and middle ear disease.

The team also contributes to advancements in cochlear implant technology and surgical techniques, driving innovation to improve patient care and long-term hearing outcomes.

Current Research Projects

ClearDrum is a groundbreaking advancement in ear surgery, developed in collaboration with Deakin University’s Future Fibres Hub.

It is the world’s first prosthetic eardrum, designed as an implantable scaffold made from silk fibroin - a biocompatible material known for its strength and flexibility.

Unlike traditional grafts, ClearDrum provides a consistent engineered structure that supports tissue regeneration while enabling surgeons to deliver targeted treatments directly to the middle ear.

Despite the success of cochlear implantation, there is variability in outcomes which may be attributed to fibrosis (scarring) in the cochlea. An NHMRC-funded collaborative team is examining the extent of fibrosis after electrode insertion, and treatments that may reduce fibrosis.

Ear Science has one of the largest adult implant programs in Australia, and data are frequently used to report on outcomes after implantation. Topics include asymmetrical hearing loss, tinnitus, quality of life, and service delivery.

Development of next-generation ossicular prosthesis incorporating elements to improve high-frequency hearing outcomes after ear reconstruction.

Multi-centre clinical outcomes research in ossicular reconstruction, including development of a validated ear environment risk grading scale (EER) and investigation of high-frequency outcomes after ossiculoplasty.

A program developing targeted nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant treatment for cholesteatoma, with broader application to other benign but locally destructive tumours of the ear and skull base.

Research into the underlying mechanisms of hydropic inner ear disease and clinical trials aimed at improving hearing and vestibular outcomes in Ménière's disease patients.

Our Focus Areas

Translational Surgery

Bridging laboratory research and clinical application.

Implant Innovation

Developing next-generation biomaterials and devices.

Clinical Outcomes

Improving patient care through surgical advancement.

Lead Researchers

Key Publications

Using x-ray micro-computed tomography to quantify intracochlear fibrosis after cochlear implantation in a Guinea pig model. Heliyon. 9(9):e19343; 2023. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19343

Braack KJ, Miles T, Amat F, Brown DJ, Atlas MD, Kuthubutheen J, Mulders WHAM, Prêle CM.

The effect of hearing loss configuration on cochlear implantation uptake rates: an Australian experience. Int J Audiol. 59(11):828-834; 2020. doi:10.1080/14992027.2020.1768445

Sucher CM, Eikelboom RH, Stegeman I, Jayakody DMP, Atlas MD.

Long-term audiometric and clinical outcomes Following stapedectomy with the shape memory nitinol stapes prosthesis. Otol Neurotol. 40(2):164-170; 2019. doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002069

Heywood RL, Quick ME, Atlas MD.

A multi‐center study of ossiculoplasty hearing outcomes and a grading scale of ear environment risk. The Laryngoscope. 2025 Apr;135:S1-1.

Gluth MB, Judd RT, Gurgel RK, Dornhoffer JL, Kutz W, Carlson ML, Kuthubutheen J, Anderson RD, Killeen DE, Barnes JH, Fussell WL.

Impact of modifiable surgical factors on ossiculoplasty outcomes after controlling for ear environment risk: a multi-institutional study. Otol Neurotol. 2025 Aug 15:10-97.

Judd RT, Gluth MB, Gurgel RK, Dornhoffer JL, Carlson ML, Isaacson B, Kuthubutheen J, Hui NJ, Quick M, Anderson RD, Sakai M.

Perilymphatic Fistula Revisited: A Histopathologic Study of Inner Ear Dehiscence and Possible Third Window Syndrome. Otol Neurotol. 2025 Aug 15:10-97.

Wallace A, Boya MN, Gluth MB.

Effects of Continued Perioperative Anticoagulation on Cochlear Implant Outcomes. Otol Neurotol. 2025 Aug 15:10-97

Wang P, Rama N, Oliver E, Sevier JD, Gluth MB, Imbery TE.

“The Subgaleal Pocket Approach for Cochlear Implant Surgery,” The Laryngoscope136, no. 5 (2026): 2328–2331

N.Rama, P.Wang, E.Oliver, J. D.Sevier, M. B.Gluth, and T. E.Imbery

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Explore Our Research

Explore our other research focus area in more detail, where our science continues to set best practices with a fully integrated model of clinical and research activities allowing us to translate our knowledge into tangible outcomes for our community and beyond.

Hearing Outreach

Hearing Therapeutics

Hearing Devices and Implants