Neurotologist in Denver, Colorado
Dr. Ashley Nassiri is a fellowship-trained neurotologist and skull base surgeon at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, in the Denver metropolitan area. She treats disorders of the ear, hearing, balance, and lateral skull base in adults and children.
What a neurotologist does
Neurotology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. A neurotologist completes residency training as an ENT surgeon and then further fellowship training devoted to the ear and the lateral skull base: the hearing and balance organs, the facial nerve, and the structures between the inner ear and the brain.
The practical difference from a general ENT is one of depth rather than of kind. A general otolaryngologist treats conditions across the entire head and neck. A neurotologist concentrates on a narrower region and performs operations that sit outside general practice — cochlear implantation, removal of tumors from the temporal bone and skull base, and repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks among them.
A neurotologist is also distinct from an audiologist. Audiologists are non-physician clinicians who test hearing and balance and fit hearing aids. A neurotologist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats the underlying condition. The two work closely together, and a neurotologic evaluation nearly always includes formal audiologic testing.
When to ask for a referral
Most ear complaints are handled well by a primary care physician or a general ENT. The presentations below are the ones that warrant subspecialty evaluation, and they are the most common reasons patients are referred to a neurotologist.
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Sudden hearing loss in one ear
Developing over hours to a few days. This is urgent — evaluation within days rather than weeks materially affects the outcome.
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Hearing that is clearly worse in one ear
Age-related hearing loss is usually symmetric. A measurable asymmetry is one of the findings that prompts an MRI to look for a vestibular schwannoma.
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Hearing loss with other neurologic symptoms
Facial weakness or numbness, significant imbalance, or persistent one-sided tinnitus alongside hearing loss.
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Chronic ear drainage
Drainage that does not settle with drops, or a history of repeated ear infections or prior ear surgery.
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Poor speech understanding despite hearing aids
Difficulty following conversation even with well-fitted hearing aids may indicate candidacy for an implantable device.
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Pulsatile tinnitus
A rhythmic sound in time with the heartbeat, which can point to a vascular tumor of the middle ear or skull base.
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Clear fluid drainage from the ear or nose
Particularly after a head injury, ear surgery, or an episode of meningitis — a presentation that raises the question of a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
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A mass or tumor found on imaging
A lesion of the temporal bone, internal auditory canal, or lateral skull base identified on a CT or MRI performed for any reason.
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Hearing loss in a child
Early identification meaningfully affects speech and language development.
Conditions and procedures
Conditions treated
Procedures and hearing devices
Referrals from across the region
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is an academic referral center, and Dr. Nassiri sees patients referred from across the Rocky Mountain region — Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and Montana — as well as from the Denver metropolitan area and the Front Range.
Patients traveling from outside the Denver area are often able to have imaging and hearing tests completed closer to home beforehand. Bringing the actual MRI or CT images, rather than only the written report, makes a single visit considerably more productive.
For referring providers
Referrals are accepted from primary care physicians, audiologists, general otolaryngologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons. Where available, an audiogram and any prior temporal bone imaging are the two things most useful to include with the referral.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is treated as urgent. For those referrals, contacting UCHealth directly rather than routing through a standard referral queue is worthwhile.
Common questions
Where can I see a neurotologist in the Denver area?
Dr. Ashley Nassiri practices at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, in the Denver metropolitan area. She is a fellowship-trained neurotologist and skull base surgeon, and appointments are arranged through UCHealth.
What is the difference between a neurotologist and a general ENT?
A neurotologist is an otolaryngologist (ENT surgeon) who has completed additional fellowship training focused specifically on the ear, hearing, balance, and the lateral skull base. A general ENT treats conditions across the whole head and neck. A neurotologist concentrates on the ear and the structures between the ear and the brain, and performs operations — cochlear implantation, skull base tumor surgery, cerebrospinal fluid leak repair — that fall outside general otolaryngology practice.
What is the difference between a neurotologist and an audiologist?
An audiologist is a non-physician clinician who tests hearing and balance and fits hearing aids. A neurotologist is a physician and surgeon who diagnoses and treats the underlying medical conditions, including with surgery. The two work together — a neurotologic evaluation almost always includes formal audiologic testing.
Does Dr. Nassiri see patients from outside Colorado?
Yes. Dr. Ashley Nassiri sees patients referred from across the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and Montana. Care is provided at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.
What conditions does a neurotologist treat?
Neurotology covers hearing loss, vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma), cholesteatoma, eardrum perforation, cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the temporal bone, glomus tumors and paragangliomas, and other tumors of the temporal bone and lateral skull base. Treatment includes cochlear implantation, osseointegrated hearing devices, and Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery.
Location and scheduling
Dr. Ashley Nassiri practices at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado 80045, in the Denver metropolitan area.
To schedule, call the clinic directly. Clinic hours and other locations are listed on her UCHealth provider page.
UCHealth Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic – Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, Aurora, Colorado
This page provides general information about a medical subspecialty and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified clinician. If you have symptoms that concern you, seek care directly.