Joni Kristin Doherty, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Division Chief of Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery

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Overview

Dr. Joni Kristin Doherty’s clinic interests include chronic ear disease, otosclerosis, cochlear implantation, vestibular disorders, and skull base tumors including acoustic neuromas and meningiomas.

Dr. Doherty has conducted cutting-edge research on the genetics and biology of inner ear disorders at the House Ear Institute, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Los Angeles funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Doherty 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. Dr. Doherty is committed to offering high quality, compassionate care to patients in her clinic, while pursuing clinical advancements in the field of Otology & Neurotology.

Dr. Doherty graduated with Honors from UCLA, and earned her medical degree and doctorate degree (PhD) in Cell Biology from The Oregon Health & Sciences University. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology –Head and Neck Surgery here at our very own University of Southern California and her fellowship at the world renowned House Clinic in Los Angeles.

After fellowship, she joined the faculty at UCSD and was awarded an NIH training grant for her research on vestibular schwannoma (a.k.a., acoustic neuroma) biology. She later joined the House Research Institute as a senior scientist while working half-time in Neurotology practice in Orange County before joining USC.

https://keck.usc.edu/otolaryngology/

Research Funding

  • ErbB receptor regulation of Vestibular Schwannomas
    NIH · K08DC008523 · Jul 6, 2007 – Jun 30, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Factors Associated With High-fidelity Earplug Use at Social Music Venues and Its Otologic Benefits. Otol Neurotol. 2026 Jan 01; 47(1):e8-e18.. View in PubMed
  • Human inner ear fluid imbalance detected by optical coherence tomography correlates with hearing loss. Sci Transl Med. 2025 07 23; 17(808):eadv3783.. View in PubMed
  • Safe Sound: Highlighting Electronic Dance Music Attendees’ Unique Hearing Protection Practices. Laryngoscope. 2025 12; 135(12):4858-4871.. View in PubMed
  • External Auditory Canal Exostosis and the California Surfer Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Laryngoscope. 2025 01; 135(1):286-292.. View in PubMed
  • Music to Define a Generation: Factors Associated With Hearing Protection Use at Music Venues. Otol Neurotol. 2024 08 01; 45(7):745-753.. View in PubMed
  • Utilization of Face-to-Face Vestibular Support Groups: A Comparison to Online Group Participation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2024 Aug; 133(8):713-719.. View in PubMed
  • Disparities in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma Initial Presentation Between a Public Safety Net Hospital and Tertiary Academic Medical Center at the Same Zip Code 2010 to 2020. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2024 Jun; 133(6):605-612.. View in PubMed
  • Imaging as an early biomarker to predict sensitivity to everolimus for progressive NF2-related vestibular schwannoma. J Neurooncol. 2024 Apr; 167(2):339-348.. View in PubMed
  • New Paradigm of Music Listening: Hearing Protection Perceptions and Treatment Decision-Making Among Music Venue Attendees. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 03; 170(3):776-787.. View in PubMed
  • Association between Cannabis Use and Tinnitus in US Adults. Otol Neurotol. 2023 07 01; 44(6):611-618.. View in PubMed