Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD (DPhil Oxon)

Overview | Location and Contact | Insurance | Frequently Asked Questions

About Dr. Voelker

Dr. Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD (DPhil Oxon) is a board-certified neurotologist and cochlear implant surgeon in Los Angeles, providing advanced implant surgery and hearing restoration for adults and children. She directs PNI’s Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant and the Otology/Neurotology-Lateral Skull Base Surgery Programs.

Courtney Voelker, MD, PhD (DPhil Oxon), is a Rhodes Scholar and board certified neurotologist. As a cochlear implant surgeon, Dr. Voelker offers comprehensive implant evaluation, cochlear implant surgery, and postoperative programming in collaboration with PNI’s implant audiologists. She is an otolaryngology – head & neck surgeon who takes care of adult and pediatric patients seeing a wide range of inner ear and skull base conditions. Dr. Voelker developed PNI’s enhanced treatment protocol for the treatment of acoustic neuromas. For qualified patients who suffer hearing loss before or after surgery, a cochlear implant may be placed in the affected ear to restore hearing at the time of tumor removal—a unique feature offered at few institutions. Dr. Voelker is a member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association Medical Advisory Board. A Super Doctor Rising Star award recipient, she is committed to offering top quality, compassionate care to all her patients.

Prior to joining PNI, Dr. Voelker was at USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC as Division Chief of Otology, Neurotology and Lateral Skull Base Surgery, and the Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). She has conducted leading-edge research on the physiology and diseases of the inner ear at Brown University, the University of Oxford, Washington University in St. Louis, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Voelker has authored numerous research publications and textbook chapters in her field. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Neurotologic Society. She is member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association Medical Advisory Board.

Dr. Voelker graduated with Honors from Brown University and earned her medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. As a Rhodes Scholar she earned her PhD from the University of Oxford in developmental neurobiology. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Washington University (Barnes-Jewish Hospital) in St. Louis and her fellowship at the world-renowned House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles.

Throughout her career, Dr. Voelker has made it part of her practice to do mission-based humanitarian work in developing countries. In partnership with Global ENT Outreach, she has treated underserved populations where ear disease can go unchecked for years. In addition, she has conducted numerous temporal bone courses to train doctors in emerging economies where specialty physician resources and training are sparse.

Conditions & Treatments (Cochlear Implants, Ear & Skull Base)

Chronic ear disease
Choleseatoma
Otosclerosis
Hearing Loss / Tinnitus
Cochlear implants (adult and pediatric)
- Cochlear implant surgery (including single-sided deafness)
- Implant surgery for complex inner ear and skull base conditions
Skull base tumors including:
- Acoustic neuromas
- Meningiomas
- Glomus tumors
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)
Vestibular disorders
Meniere’s disease
Superior canal dehiscence
Cochlear implant surgery: individualized candidacy review, surgical planning, activation, and ongoing mapping
Multidisciplinary cochlear implant team: surgeon + implant audiologist + rehabilitation specialists
Experience with revision ear surgery and tumors (e.g., acoustic neuroma) requiring coordinated hearing restoration

Research Interests

Dr. Voelker’s research interests include studying inner ear structure and function, and how that knowledge translates into treatments for patients with hearing and balance problems.

Clinic Location

Pacific Neuroscience Institute – Wilshire
11645 Wilshire Blvd., #600,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310-477-5558

Accepted Insurance

Most insurance plans are accepted. Please contact us to confirm coverage.

What Patients are saying

So far 3 appointments. I am impressed. They are well organized, and everyone conducts themselves in a professional manner. Dr. Voelker was a total pleasure, as was Dr. Lewis and Jacob. I am considering a cochlear implant….I’ll be back!
– Paul M, on Yelp

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dr. Courtney Voelker accepting new patients?

Yes, she is accepting new patients at this time.

What are Dr. Courtney Voelker’s areas of expertise?

Dr. Voelker is an otology/neurotology specialist and cochlear implant surgeon with expertise in cochlear implant surgery, chronic ear disease, otosclerosis, vestibular disorders, and lateral skull base tumors. She treats adults and children.

Do you offer cochlear implant candidacy evaluations?

Yes. Patients receive a comprehensive implant evaluation (hearing tests, imaging, and consultation) to determine if cochlear implants are appropriate.

Who is on the PNI implant team?

Your care includes a board‑certified ear surgeon, implant audiologist, and rehabilitation specialists who support you from implant surgery through activation and programming.

Where does Dr. Voelker perform cochlear implant surgery?

Surgery is coordinated through PNI’s Los Angeles location; please call 310‑477‑5558 to discuss clinics and scheduling with our team of doctors available to assist.

What languages does Dr. Courtney Voelker speak?

Dr. Voelker speaks English.

Where is Dr. Courtney Voelker’s office located?

Dr. Voelker’s offices is located at 11645 Wilshire Blvd., #600, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

Ready to explore cochlear implants or get a second opinion? Connect with our cochlear implant team at 310‑477‑5558 to schedule a consultation with otologist Dr. Voelker, a cochlear implant surgeon in Los Angeles and beyond.