Professor Nirmal Patel grew up in Newcastle and moved to Sydney to study medicine. He graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School with honours and completed his ENT training in 2002, graduating from the New South Wales ENT training programme. Professor Patel then completed a higher degree in surgery (Master of Surgery) with training at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and New York University, USA under the guidance of Professor Anil Lalwani. His Master of Surgery thesis was undertaken in gene and stem cell therapy of the inner ear. Following this period, Nirmal undertook his second post-training sub-speciality period with Professor Clough Shelton (President-Elect of the American Neuro-otology Society), learning advanced ear surgery at the University of Utah, USA.

Professor Patel is a member of and contributor to the International Working Group of Endoscopic Ear Surgery, which seeks to advance the technique of minimally invasive ear surgery around the world. He has presented at more than 50 national or international meetings; and has written more than 30 journal articles and two book chapters in major ENT text books. His special interests include children’s ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery; minimally invasive (endoscopic) ear surgery; Cochlear implant; and skull base surgery.

He is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Macquarie University and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney.

Special interests:

• Acoustic (Vestibular Schwannoma) Tumors
• Children’s Ear Infections
• Cholesteatoma
• Cochlear implants
• Ear Drum Perforation and Hearing Reconstruction
• Eustachian Tube Surgery
• Exostoses (Surfers ear)
• Otosclerosis (Stapedectomy) Surgery
• Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
• Tonsils, Adenoids, and Blocked Nose in Children