Background
Bryan Ward specializes in treating disorders of the ear and skull base, such as chronic ear disease, obstructive and patulous eustachian tube dysfunction, and conditions that cause dizziness such as superior canal dehiscence syndrome, Meniere's disease and bilateral vestibulopathy. He has research interests in vestibular physiology and pathophysiology, with particular focus on MRI and interactions between strong magnetic fields and the inner ear.
Dr. Ward's research is focused on studying the effects of strong static magnetic fields, such as those in MRI machines, on the vestibular system. The magnetic fields of MRI machines can induce a force in the inner ear that can cause dizziness and vertigo. This is a fundamentally new way of stimulating the vestibular system, and he is studying how the brain adapts to this stimulus. He is also invovled in developing new ways of imaging the inner ear with MRI.
His clinical research interests include the pathophysiology of inner ear disorders, such as superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome, Meniere's disease and bilateral vestibulopathy, as well as novel treatments including the development of a vestibular implant (led by Dr. Charles Della Santina).