Meet Dr. Hamid Djalilian - Tinnitus and Vertigo Specialist
About Dr. Hamid Djalilian
MD Otology & Neurotology in Irvine, CA
Last Reviewed: August 2026
Dr. Hamid Djalilian is an internationally recognized leader in tinnitus and vestibular (dizziness/vertigo) research and treatment, and serves as Chief Medical Advisor for NeuroMed Clinic, home to NeuroMed Tinnitus Care and NeuroMed Vertigo Care.
Dr. Djalilian serves as Medical Advisor to NeuroMed, providing the scientific and clinical foundation for the organization's treatment frameworks for complex auditory and vestibular disorders, including tinnitus, hyperacusis, reactive tinnitus, misophonia, vertigo, chronic dizziness, and balance disorders. His work is based on decades of academic research and extensive clinical experience treating these challenging neurological conditions, including vestibular migraine, Ménière's disease, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), and related disorders. He oversees protocol development and provider education, helping ensure NeuroMed's clinical approach reflects current evidence and best practices.
While Dr. Djalilian does not provide direct patient care through NeuroMed, the clinical protocols used within the program are informed by the same evidence-based principles that guide his academic practice. Medical care is provided by independently licensed healthcare professionals through external clinical services.
Dr. Djalilian earned his medical degree with honors and completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of Minnesota. He is currently Director of the Division of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he also serves as Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Personal History
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Current Positions
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| July 2015-Present | Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology Director of Otology and Neurotology Co-Director, UCI Comprehensive Skull Base Program Director, Lateral Skull Base Surgery |
| July 2015-Present | Professor of Biomedical Engineering |
| 2022-Present | Chair, Migraine in Otolaryngology Society |
| 2023-Present | Chief Medical Advisor, NeuroMed |
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Past Positions
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 3/2005 to 4/2006 | Associate, Tower ENT, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California |
| 1/2005 to 4/2006 | Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery – Division of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA |
| 6/2004 to 9/2005 | Director of Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery, Los Angeles County Hospital (KDMC) Medical Student Otolaryngology Clerkship Director, UCLA/Drew, June 2004-September 2005 Medical Director, Dept. of Otolaryngology |
| 8/2002 to 6/2004 | Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, Director of Division of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Director, Dept. of Otolaryngology Director of Quality Improvement, University of Illinois at Chicago – 2003 |
| 1/2002 to 6/2002 | Instructor of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota |
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Medical Education
| Type | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fellowship | July 2001-June 2002 | Minnesota Ear Head and Neck Clinic (Otology Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery) |
| Residency | 1997-2001 | Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN |
| Internship | 1996-97 | Preliminary Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Medical School | June 7, 1996 | University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, M.D. awarded |
| Graduate School | 2000-incomplete | University of Minnesota Ph.D. (Thesis not completed) Thesis Project: “Genetic Study of Hereditary Meniere’s Disease” |
| Undergraduate | June, 1992 | Carleton College, Northfield, MN., B.A., Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude |
Honors & Special Awards
| Honor / Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Muzzy Family Endowed Chair in Hearing and Balance, UC Irvine | 2024 |
| Elected President of Migraine in Otolaryngology Society | 2022-2024 |
| Distinguished Service Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery | 2024 |
| Innovator of the Year (nominated) | UCI 2022-3 |
| Faculty Innovation Fellow | UCI 2021-2023 |
| Semi-Finalist (BeyondTinnitus), New Venture Competition, Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UCI Applied Innovation | 2020 |
| Semi-Finalist (Semi-Implantable Tinnitus Device), New Venture Competition, Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UCI Applied Innovation | 2019 |
| The Triological Society: Combined Sections Meeting 1st Place Poster | January 25, 2020, Coronado, CA |
| American Neurotology Society 1st Place Resident Research Award (Haidar) | 2017 |
| American Neurotology Society 2nd Place Poster Award (Haidar) | 2016 |
| Triological Society Honorable Mention Basic Science Thesis | 2015 |
| American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery President Elect Award for outstanding poster presentation (H Mahboubi) | 2014 |
| American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Best research presentation (Alice Lee) | 2010 |
| Who's Who in America | 2009-present |
| Best Doctors in America | 2009-present |
| Los Angeles Magazine Southern California Super Doctors | 2009-present |
| Orange Coast Magazine Physicians of Excellence in Orange County | 2011-present |
| US News and World Report Best Doctors in America | 2012-present |
| Honor Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery | 2006 |
| Clinical Scholar of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery | 2005 |
| BEST ENT Network of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery | 2005 |
| Lederer Pierce Research Competition 1st (Jason Cundiff, M.D.), 2nd place (Ryan Rehl, M.D.), and 3rd place (Aaron Benson, M.D.) | 2004 |
| Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare | 2003-2006 |
PATENTS Issued to Dr. Hamid Djalilian
| Year | Patent Details |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Custom nortriptyline-topiramate combination for the treatment of tinnitus. US20200155483A1. Allowed 2024. |
| 2023 | Methods and systems for treating tinnitus with transtympanic electrical stimulation. UC Case No. 2019-368-2. Priority 2019-04-25 • Filed 2020-04-27 • Granted 2023-05-09 • Published 2023-05-09 |
| 2023 | Combination therapy for the treatment of tinnitus and other medical conditions. US20230321011A1. Priority 2018-11-16 • Filed 2023-06-14 • Published 2023-10-12 |
| 2022 | System for irrigating the upper aerodigestive tract and neighboring areas (oral irrigation system for tonsil stones and bad breath). US20220023020A1. Priority 2020-07-22 • Filed 2021-07-21 • Published 2022-01-27 |
| 2017 | Direct-drive acoustic amplification using a tympanostomy tube. US9794704. Issued October 17, 2017. |
| 2014 | Direct drive micro hearing device. US8885860. Issued November 11, 2014. |
Professional Associations
| Associations | Year |
|---|---|
| American Otological Society | Member Inducted 2015 |
| Triological Society | Member Inducted 2015 |
| American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery | Member |
| Los Angeles Society of Otolaryngology | Member 2004-2006 |
| Chicago Laryngologic and Otologic Society | Member 2002-2004 |
| American Medical Association | Member 2002-2004 |
| AIllinois State Medical Society | Member 2002-2004 |
| Chicago Medical Society | Member 2002-2004 |
| American Society of Gene Therapy | Associate Member 1999-2001 |
Book Publications and Bibliography
Dr. Hamid Djalilian has edited and authored three medical textbooks:
| Year | Book |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Mehdi Abouzari, Hamid R. Djalilian (Eds), Tinnitus, World Scientific Publishing. A comprehensive 364-page volume covering the full landscape of tinnitus diagnosis and treatment, including sound/music therapy, pharmacological approaches, and neuromodulation. Dr. Djalilian co-authored multiple chapters. |
| 2023 | Edward C. Kuan, Bobby A. Tajudeen, Hamid R. Djalilian, Harrison W. Lin (Eds), Skull Base Reconstruction: Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Skull Base Defects, Springer Nature Publishing. Kept up-to-date and is ideal as a comprehensive resource for any clinician and/or scientist involved in skull base reconstruction. Available for purchase. |
| 2009 | Djalilian HR. Editor, 10 Minute ENT Consult, Plural Publishing, San Diego, CA. Covers the full range of ENT disorders; the first book to guide primary care physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat problems. |
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Published Research Papers
Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Auditory Disorders
Vertigo, Dizziness, Vestibular Migraine, and Meniere's Disease
Patient and Professional Education
Medical & Industry Podcast Presentations
| Date | Presentation |
|---|---|
| Jun 16, 2026 | “The Surprising Connection Between Anxiety, Tinnitus & Migraine” — The SheMD Podcast |
| Jul 19, 2025 | “Tinnitus & Migraine: Expert Insight with Dr. Hamid Djalilian” — BackTable ENT Podcast, Ep. 194 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | “Tinnitus and Migraine: Expert Insight” — Tinnitus Quest Featured Expert Session |
| Sep 28–Oct 1, 2024 | “State of the Art in the Management of Tinnitus” (moderator) & “Otologic Migraine: How Migraine Affects the Ear” (instructional course) — Annual AAO-HNSF Meeting |
| Aug 28, 2024 | “Otologic Manifestations of Migraine” — BackTable ENT Podcast, Ep. 60 |
Dr. Hamid Djalilian's Personal Interests
Pickleball and table tennis.
Recent posts
Tinnitus and High Blood Pressure: What's the Connection? Tinnitus and high blood pressure are linked, but the connection is mostly indirect. Chronic hypertension can gradually damage the inner ear and increase the risk of hearing-related tinnitus, but it rarely explains sudden flare-ups. When tinnitus becomes louder at the same time
Tinnitus and Depression: Why They Occur Together Tinnitus and depression co-occur in roughly 1 in 3 patients — not because one causes the other, but because both arise from the same underlying brain network dysfunction. Sleep disruption mediates nearly a third of that pathway. Antidepressant selection matters: some worsen tinnitus,
Tinnitus: Which Doctor You See Matters Which doctor to see for tinnitus depends on severity. For mild or stable tinnitus, the standard path — primary care, ENT, then audiologist — works well. But severe, fluctuating, or reactive tinnitus is neurological, driven by central sensitization and migraine-related pathways that sound therapy
Ears Ringing After Concert: The 72-Hour Window Ears ringing after a concert means loud sound triggered an inflammatory cascade that spreads from the inner ear into the brain's auditory pathways within hours. For most people it resolves within 48 hours — but not for everyone, and the first 72 hours
