The Department of Otorhinolaryngology offers a wide range of specialised clinical services in diseases of the ear, nose and throat region as well as aspects of head and neck surgery.

These services are predominantly aimed at tertiary level care but also include management of clinical cases at the secondary and quaternary levels.

Prevention, early detection and appropriate management are the main areas of expertise.

Cochlear implantation was started as a special project in 1990 and is run as an interdepartmental activity involving the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Department of Communication Pathology of the University of Pretoria.

There is close contact with other cochlear implant programmes in South Africa as well as International collaboration.

The aim is to provide an electronic alternative for hearing augmentation to severely and profoundly hearing impaired individuals.