Clifford R. Hume joined the department as an Assistant Professor in August 2002. After obtaining his medical degree and doctorate from Cornell University, he completed a residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Washington. His clinical practice is limited to otology, including reconstructive middle ear surgery and cochlear implantation. Prior to his medical training, Dr. Hume was a research fellow in developmental neuroscience at Columbia University. His current research at the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center focuses on the embryologic development of the inner ear and gene therapy of hearing disorders.
Education and Training:
- B.A., Carleton College 1983
- Ph.D., Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University 1989
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University 1993
- M.D., Medical College, Cornell University 1996
- Internship, Department of Surgery, University of Washington 1997
- Residency, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington 2002
Board Certification:
American Board of Otolaryngology
Expertise:
- Otology - Hearing rehabilitation, middle ear surgery, and cochlear implantation
- General otolaryngology- Endoscopic sinus surgery, surgery for benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck.
Research Interests:
The majority of congenital hearing loss results from perturbations of inner ear formation or altered function of components of the auditory signal transduction pathway. The subsequent degeneration of sensory hair cells and their associated sensory neurons (spiral ganglion) account directly or indirectly for most acquired hearing loss. In contrast to non-mammalian vertebrates, humans are unable to replace lost hair cells and suffer permanent hearing and balance deficits. In cases of profound hearing loss, current therapy for auditory rehabilitation is limited to cochlear implantation.
The long-term goal of our research is to identify the molecular signals that regulate the formation of hair cells and their neuronal connections during development and use these signals to develop new strategies to treat human hearing loss. For these studies, we are using a combination of molecular biology, organ culture and genetic techniques.
We are also collaborating with members of the University of Washington Department of Radiology to develop more sensitive methods for analyzing the human inner ear using non-invasive imaging technology and with the Department of Mechanical Engineering to improve hearing aid design.
Research Support:
- Veteran’s Administration Hospital
- National Institute for Deafness and other Communication Disorders
- American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Memberships:
- American Medical Association
- American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- American Auditory Society
- Association for Research in Otolaryngology
- King County Medical Society
- Washington State Medical Association