Neurotologist · Skull Base Surgeon
Ashley Nassiri, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Director, Cochlear Implant Program
University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
Advancing care in cochlear implantation, skull base surgery, and inner ear disease — through clinical excellence, research, and surgical education.
About
Dr. Ashley Nassiri is a fellowship-trained neurotologist and skull base surgeon at University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she also serves as Director of the Cochlear Implant Program and provides specialized care for pediatric and adult patients with complex ear and lateral skull base conditions.
Her research focuses on expanding access to hearing health care through improving adult and pediatric hearing screening, expanding cochlear implant candidacy and improving outcomes, innovation in surgical and radiosurgical management of vestibular schwannomas, and surgical education. She is committed to expanding access to hearing rehabilitation such as cochlear implantation and advancing evidence-based practice in otology and neurotology.
Dr. Nassiri also writes and speaks on the business of medicine — exploring how healthcare economics, practice management, and health policy intersect with the delivery of surgical care.
Education & Training
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Fellowship in Otology & Neurotology
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Residency in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
MBA
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Medical School
University of California, Berkeley
Undergraduate
For Patients
Conditions Treated
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Nassiri, please visit the UCHealth provider page below for contact information and availability.
Contact UCHealthRecognition
Training & Certification
Board Certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Board Certified in Neurotology
Gamma Knife Training Certification
Leadership & Service
Associate Editor
Otology & Neurotology Open
Fellow Member
American Neurotology Society
Audit Committee Member
American Neurotology Society
Education Committee Member
American Neurotology Society
Member
North American Skull Base Society
Committee Member
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Awards & Recognition
Invited Keynote Lecturer
2026 · 25th Annual Fernandez-Lindsay Lecture, University of Chicago School of Medicine
Best Abstract Award
2021 · American Cochlear Implant Alliance
2nd Place, Annual Poster Award
2019 · Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
Original Study Selected for Podcast
2019 · Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Journal
3rd Place Oral ePoster Presentation
2019 · World Congress on Endoscopic Ear Surgery 3.0
2nd Place, Resident Research Competition
2019 · Vanderbilt University
Research Focus
Dr. Nassiri's research program combines clinical outcomes research, evidence-based practice, and health systems innovation to improve access to hearing and skull base care. Her work spans individual patient outcomes to population-level health equity initiatives, with a focus on expanding care for underserved populations.
Cochlear Implantation
Establishing funded cochlear implant research and clinical programs to expand access for underserved populations, evaluate candidacy criteria, optimize long-term hearing outcomes, and improve rehabilitation uptake through data-driven and patient-centered approaches.
Skull Base Surgery
Surgical management of lateral skull base tumors — including vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas — with a focus on hearing preservation, facial nerve outcomes, and quality of life.
Inner Ear Pathology
Investigating the pathophysiology and surgical treatment of complex inner ear disorders, including endolymphatic hydrops, labyrinthine fistula, and autoimmune inner ear disease.
Surgical Education & Innovation
Advancing evidence-based practice through resident training innovations, simulation-based education, standardization of surgical techniques, and development of decision-support tools to improve surgical outcomes and education quality.
Publications
75 on PubMedShowing 20 most recent. Data sourced from PubMed.
- 1
Marketing Practices and Information Quality for Over-the-counter (OTC) Hearing Aids on Amazon.com.
Conway K, Knoetze M, Swanepoel W, Sharma A, Nassiri A, Manchaiah V
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2026 PubMed - 2
Proposed Development of a New Staging System for Hearing Loss: Countermeasure 2 of the Hearing Health Collaborative.
Carlson ML, Zwolan TA, Bush ML, Cosetti MK, Dunn CC, Gubbels SP, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2026 PubMed - 3
Highly Coordinated Cochlear Implant Care With Remote Programming: Clinical, Financial, and Implementation Outcomes for the Complete Cochlear Implant Care (CCIC) Model.
Nassiri AM, Saoji AA, DeJong MD, Tombers NM, Lohse CM, Driscoll CLW, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2026 PubMed - 4
Modified Fisch A Approach for Resection of Recurrent Jugular Foramen Meningioma.
Kalmanson O, Khanna O, Youssef AS, Nassiri A
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2025 PubMed - 5
Rationale for the Development of a Universal Hearing Metric for Public Consumption: Initiative 1 of the Hearing Health Collaborative.
Reed NS, Assi S, Bush M, Carlson ML, Cosetti M, Creel L, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2025 PubMed - 6
Anatomical Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Translabyrinthine and Transcochlear Approaches.
Perry A, Carlstrom LP, Alexander AY, Leonel LCPC, Nassiri AM, Nguyen B, et al.
- 7
RESPONSE TO LETTER TO THE EDITOR REGARDING: HEARING DEVICE COIL PLACEMENT LATERAL TO THE TEMPORALIS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO FLAP THINNING FOR COCHLEAR AND TRANSCUTANEOUS BONE-ANCHORED IMPLANTS.
Nassiri AM, Hogan CA, Carlson ML
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2025 PubMed - 8
Access to Cochlear Implantation: Trends in Surgeon Volume and Training.
Espahbodi M, Trautwein P, Bestourous DE, Zwolan TA, Nassiri AM, Carlson ML, et al.
- 9
Hearing Device Coil Placement Lateral to the Temporalis: An Alternative to Flap Thinning for Cochlear and Transcutaneous Bone-Anchored Implants.
Nassiri AM, Randall NR, Johnson BJ, Carlson ML
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2025 PubMed - 10
Revised Classification of Inner Ear Schwannomas.
Plontke SK, Lloyd SKW, Freeman SRM, Kösling S, Arnoldner C, Biggs N, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2025 PubMed - 11
Techniques in Management of Cholesteatoma: Radical and Canal Wall down Mastoidectomy.
Gjini EK, Kalmanson OA, Noonan K, Nassiri AM
- 12
Cochlear Implantation Outcomes in Patients With Sporadic Inner Ear Schwannomas With and Without Simultaneous Tumor Resection.
Nassiri AM, Staricha K, Neff BA, Driscoll CLW, Link MJ, Carlson ML
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2024 PubMed - 13
Full Recovery of Hearing After Resection of a Large Epidermoid Tumor at the Cerebellopontine Angle: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.
Bauman MMJ, Nassiri AM, Driscoll CL, Link MJ
- 14
Anatomic Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Infratemporal Fossa Approach to the Jugular Foramen.
Dornhoffer JR, Nassiri AM, Peris-Celda M, Leonel LC, Carlson ML
- 15
Rationale for the Development of a Novel Clinical Grading Scale for Postoperative Facial Nerve Function: Results of a Multidisciplinary International Working Group.
Carlson ML, Lohse CM, Agazzi S, Babu SC, Barker FG, Barnett S, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2023 PubMed - 16
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Artifact Associated With Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implants: Cholesteatoma and Vestibular Schwannoma Surveillance.
Nassiri AM, Messina SA, Benson JC, Lane JI, McGee KP, Trzasko JD, et al.
Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024 PubMed - 17
Age and Incidence of Cochlear Implantation in the Pediatric Population With Congenital Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss.
Nassiri AM, Marinelli JP, Lohse CM, Carlson ML
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2023 PubMed - 18
Stratifying Risk of Future Growth Among Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas.
Marinelli JP, Schnurman Z, Killeen DE, Nassiri AM, Hunter JB, Lees KA, et al.
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2023 PubMed - 19
Incidence of Cochlear Implantation Among Adult Candidates in the United States.
Nassiri AM, Marinelli JP, Lohse CM, Carlson ML
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2023 PubMed - 20
Improved cochlear implant electrode localization using coregistration of pre- and postoperative CT.
Farnsworth PJ, Benson JC, Nassiri AM, Carlson ML, Larson NB, Lane JI
Podcasts
Beyond the Decibels Podcast
Could One Number Change Hearing Health in America?
Ashley Nassiri, MD & Jennifer Deal, PhD · March 16, 2026
Shared insights on hearing loss as a public health issue, and efforts to raise awareness and improve access—especially through the use of a simple, scalable metric: the Hearing Number.
Listen on BuzzsproutBusiness of Medicine
27 episodesHeadmirror's ENT in a Nutshell
A 27-episode podcast series co-created by Dr. Nassiri to equip physicians with business and leadership skills rarely taught in medical training. Organized into three domains, each episode features an expert guest interviewed by Dr. Nassiri.
View full series on Headmirror
Part I Leadership (10 episodes)
- 1
Leadership Development, Part 1
Dr. Linda Ginzel, PhD · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- 2
Leadership Development, Part 2
Dr. Scott Snook, PhD, MBA · Harvard Business School
- 3
Negotiation Basics
Dr. George Wu, PhD, SM · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- 4
Sales and Communication in Medicine
Prof. Craig Wortmann, MBA · Kellogg School of Management
- 5
Behavioral Science: A Guide to Understanding Your Patients
Prof. Nicholas Epley, PhD · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- 6
Leadership Training in Medical Education
Dr. Roland Eavey, MD, SM · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 7
Pros and Cons of Additional Degrees
Dr. Pat Basu, MD, MBA · Cancer Treatment Centers of America
- 8
Entrepreneurship in Medicine
Dr. Robert Altman, PhD, MBA · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- 9
Mentorship in Otolaryngology
Dr. David Haynes, MD, MMHC · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 10
Career Development through Committee and Society Leadership
Dr. Colin Driscoll, MD · Mayo Clinic
Part II Care Delivery (8 episodes)
- 11
Measuring and Improving the Patient Experience
Dr. Thomas H. Lee, MD, MSc · Press Ganey / NEJM Catalyst
- 12
Behavioral Economics in Medicine
Prof. Kevin G. Volpp, MD, PhD · Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- 13
Value-based Health Care and Bundling
Dr. C. J. Stimson, MD, JD · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 14
Introduction to Design Thinking in Medicine
Ashley Nassiri, MD, MBA · Mayo Clinic
- 15
Design and Implementation Science in Health Care
Hugh Musick, MBA · University of Illinois at Chicago
- 16
U.S. Health Insurance Market
Dr. Melinda Buntin, PhD · Vanderbilt University
- 17
U.S. Healthcare Spending
Dr. Michael Chernew, PhD · Harvard Medical School
- 18
Operations Management and Healthcare Metrics
Dr. Daniel Adelman, PhD · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Part III Practice Management (9 episodes)
- 19
Networking, Practice-building, and Referrals
Dr. David Haynes, MD, MMHC · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 20
Patient & Practice Benefits of Expanding Clinical Services
Dr. Scott Fortune, MD & Dr. G. Lee Bryant, MD · Allergy & ENT Associates
- 21
E-Commerce and Alternative Revenue Streams
Dr. Jess Prischmann, MD · Prischmann Facial Plastic Surgery
- 22
Advanced Practice Providers and Clinical Workflow Considerations
Dr. Scott Fortune, MD & Dr. G. Lee Bryant, MD · Allergy & ENT Associates
- 23
Billing, Reimbursements & RVUs
Dr. Adam Zanation, MD · University of North Carolina Medical Center
- 24
Social Media as a Research and Patient Engagement Tool
Dr. Alexander Gelbard, MD · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- 25
Job Contract Basics (Contracts, Part 1)
Mr. Jon Appino, MBA · Contract Diagnostics
- 26
Job Contract Negotiation (Contracts, Part 2)
Mr. Jon Appino, MBA · Contract Diagnostics
- 27
U.S. News & World Report Hospital Rankings
Dr. Garrett Choby, MD & Ms. Jill Nagel · Mayo Clinic