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Michael M. Johns, MD

Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Director of Medical Student Education

Division Director of Laryngology

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Email [email protected]
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Overview

My goal as the director of the USC Voice Center is to improve the quality of life for individuals with voice, swallowing and airway disorders. I strive to achieve this through a true interdisciplinary approach to promoting health, preventing and curing disease, advancing biomedical research and educating those around me.

I received my undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Virginia, but my passion is for medicine. I graduated medical school from the Johns Hopkins University and then pursued training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan. While there, I did an NIH funded research year and became interested in voice, swallowing and airway disorders. This led me to pursue specialty fellowship training at the Vanderbilt Voice Center. I then founded the Emory Voice Center with Speech Pathologist Dr. Edie Hapner, PhD in Atlanta Georgia, which was amongst the first interdisciplinary voice centers in United States. 12 years later, I was recruited to the University of Southern California to form the USC Voice Center and bring our interdisciplinary model of care to Southern California.

I embrace a caring, patient-centered approach with my patients. At the USC Voice Center, my patients can count on a coordinated, cohesive and unique experience backed by a team of voice and swallowing experts to optimize outcomes and satisfaction.

#Courses

OHNS 507, Voice and Resonance Disorders (Y1, Spring Semester)

Awards

  • LA Magazine: Top Doctor – Dr. Michael Johns, 2019
     – 2019
  • Pasadena Magazine: Top Doctor – Dr. Michael Johns, 2017
     – 2018

Research Funding

  • CONSTRUCTION OF NEUROSCIENCE FACILITY
    NIH · C06RR017379 · May 1, 2002 – Apr 30, 2004 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
    NIH · C06RR015461 · Sep 30, 2000 – Sep 29, 2003 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • LABORATORY AT YERKES REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · C06RR012465 · Sep 30, 1997 – Sep 29, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Support of Yerkes National Primate Research Center
    NIH · P51OD011132 · May 1, 1997 – Apr 30, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
    NIH · C06RR011208 · May 15, 1996 – Nov 14, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • SMALL INSTRUMENTATION GRANT
    NIH · S15HL047724 · Sep 1, 1991 – Aug 31, 1992 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Research Training in Otolaryngology
    NIH · T32DC000027 · Jul 10, 1989 – Jun 30, 2025 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • General Clinical Research Center
    NIH · M01RR002719 · Dec 1, 1985 – Nov 30, 2007 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT
    NIH · S07RR005378 · Apr 1, 1979 – Sep 29, 1994 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · M01RR000722 · Dec 1, 1977 – Nov 30, 1997 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Support of Yerkes National Primate Research Center
    NIH · P51RR000165 · Jun 1, 1976 – Apr 30, 2016 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • General Clinical Research Center
    NIH · M01RR000052 · Oct 1, 1974 – Nov 30, 2009 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · M01RR000035 · Oct 1, 1974 – Nov 30, 1998 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Transverse Cordotomy With Medial Arytenoidectomy Effectively Treats Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility. Laryngoscope. 2026 Jul; 136(7):3039-3045.. View in PubMed
  • Trends in Laryngology Fellowship Training: A Survey Study of Graduates and Directors. Laryngoscope. 2026 03; 136(3):1433-1443.. View in PubMed
  • Prospective Short-Term Outcomes of Allograft Adipose Matrix (AAM) for Vocal Fold Augmentation. Laryngoscope. 2026 Apr; 136(4):1808-1814.. View in PubMed
  • Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathic Cough Is Not Associated With Membranous Vocal Fold Lesions. Laryngoscope. 2025 11; 135(11):4296-4302.. View in PubMed
  • In Response to Practice Trends in Laryngology: Neuromodulators as Treatment for Chronic Cough. Laryngoscope. 2025 Nov; 135(11):E87-E88.. View in PubMed
  • Under-Funded and Under-Pressure: State Epidemiologists During the COVID-19 Response. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2025 May 07; 19:e110.. View in PubMed
  • A National Survey on Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction Practice Patterns Among Laryngologists. Laryngoscope. 2025 08; 135(8):2838-2845.. View in PubMed
  • Prevalence of Speech and Swallowing Dysfunction and Intervention Among Individuals With Myasthenia Gravis. OTO Open. 2025 Jan-Mar; 9(1):e70077.. View in PubMed
  • Views From State-Level Policy Actors About the US Federal Government COVID-19 Response. Health Secur. 2025 Jan-Feb; 23(1):1-8.. View in PubMed
  • Workforce Analysis of Laryngologists in the United States Between 1993 and 2022. Laryngoscope. 2025 05; 135(5):1759-1766.. View in PubMed
  • Inter-rater and Intra-rater Reliability of Glottal Image Capture: A Mobile Application to Quantify Vocal Fold Bowing. Laryngoscope. 2025 05; 135(5):1732-1736.. View in PubMed
  • Novel In-Office KTP Laser Treatment of Anterior Glottic Webs. J Voice. 2024 Nov 28.. View in PubMed
  • Gender and Racial Demographic Trends in the US Laryngology Workforce (1993-2022). Laryngoscope. 2025 02; 135(2):794-800.. View in PubMed
  • Revisiting the etiology and clinical characteristics of hemorrhagic polyps of the vocal fold. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2024 Oct; 9(5):e1316.. View in PubMed
  • Bilateral Vocal Fold Motion Impairment Associated With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. OTO Open. 2024 Jul-Sep; 8(3):e70003.. View in PubMed
  • Prospective Outcomes After Serial Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection in Vocal Fold Scar and Sulcus. Laryngoscope. 2024 12; 134(12):5021-5027.. View in PubMed
  • “Lives versus livelihoods”: Conflict and coherence between policy objectives in the COVID-19 pandemic. Soc Sci Med. 2024 09; 357:117188.. View in PubMed
  • TrachGPT: Appraisal of tracheostomy care recommendations from an artificial intelligent Chatbot. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2024 Aug; 9(4):e1300.. View in PubMed
  • Representativeness of U.S. News & World Report Outcome and Volume Measures for Otolaryngology. Laryngoscope. 2024 09; 134(9):3881-3882.. View in PubMed
  • Impact of BMI on Dyspnea and Need for Surgical Intervention in Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 08; 171(2):486-493.. View in PubMed
  • ‘Staying in the lane’ of public health? Boundary-work in the roles of state health officials and experts in COVID-19 policymaking. Sociol Health Illn. 2024 06; 46(5):1004-1022.. View in PubMed
  • Prospective >12 Months Outcomes After Vocal Fold Injection Medialization With Silk Microparticle-Hyaluronic Acid Material. Laryngoscope. 2024 08; 134(8):3679-3685.. View in PubMed
  • Decision-Making in the Treatment of Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: A Survey of Laryngologists. Laryngoscope. 2024 02; 134(2):865-872.. View in PubMed
  • Cannabinoid Use in the Treatment of Laryngeal Dystonia and Vocal Tremor: A Pilot Investigation. J Voice. 2025 Sep; 39(5):1313-1320.. View in PubMed
  • Artificial Intelligence and Laryngeal Cancer: From Screening to Prognosis: A State of the Art Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 03; 168(3):319-329.. View in PubMed
  • Serial In-Office Steroid Injections for Airway Stenosis: Long-Term Benefit and Cost Analysis. Laryngoscope. 2023 10; 133(10):2673-2679.. View in PubMed
  • Virtual Versus In-Person Head and Neck Physical Examination Training in Medical Students: A Pilot Assessment. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2023 Oct; 132(10):1140-1148.. View in PubMed
  • Gauging Stakeholder Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Gender-Affirming Voice Care. Laryngoscope. 2023 Jul; 133(7):1698-1705.. View in PubMed
  • Variations in Practices and Preferences of Vocal Fold Injection Materials: A National Survey. Laryngoscope. 2023 05; 133(5):1176-1183.. View in PubMed
  • Cricothyroid Muscle Botulinum Toxin Chemodenervation to Treat Recalcitrant High-Pitched Functional Dysphonia in an Adult Male. J Voice. 2024 Nov; 38(6):1531.e1-1531.e3.. View in PubMed
  • Safety of Platelet-Rich Plasma Subepithelial Infusion for Vocal Fold Scar, Sulcus, and Atrophy. Laryngoscope. 2023 03; 133(3):647-653.. View in PubMed
  • Comparison of Treatment for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis at a Public County Versus Private Academic Hospital. J Voice. 2024 Jul; 38(4):945-950.. View in PubMed
  • Intractable Bleeding Following an Awake Bedside Injection Laryngoplasty in a Patient on KVAD ECMO. J Voice. 2024 Jul; 38(4):969.e1-969.e4.. View in PubMed
  • Does Vocal Fatigue Negatively Affect Low Vocal Range in Professional, Female Opera Singers? A Survey Study and Single-Subject Pilot Study. J Voice. 2024 May; 38(3):688-696.. View in PubMed
  • The Role of Educational Podcast Use Among Otolaryngology Residents. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Dec; 131(12):1353-1357.. View in PubMed
  • Laryngologists’ Reported Decision-Making in Presbyphonia Treatment. J Voice. 2024 May; 38(3):723-730.. View in PubMed
  • Physician Oversight of Audiological Services for Older Patients: A Barrier to Hearing Healthcare Access? Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 May; 103(5):NP265-NP266. Suen JJ, Briggs S, Chern A, Eibling D, Golub J . View in PubMed
  • The importance of pro-social processing, and ameliorating dysfunction in schizophrenia. An FMRI study of oxytocin. Schizophr Res Cogn. 2022 Mar; 27:100221.. View in PubMed
  • Recent Laryngology Fellowship Graduates: Where Are They Now? Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Sep; 131(9):979-986. Damazo B, Bailey T, Fisher DR, Dehom S, Cress V, Murry T, Johns MM , Krishna P, Crawley . View in PubMed
  • Pulmonary Function Tests May Better Predict Dyspnea-Severity in Patients with Subglottic Stenosis Compared to Clinician-Reported Stenosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Jul; 131(7):791-796.. View in PubMed
  • Utility of Telemedicine for Diagnosis and Management of Laryngology-Related Complaints during COVID-19. Laryngoscope. 2022 04; 132(4):831-837.. View in PubMed
  • Perceptions of Vocal Performance Impairment in Singers with and without Hearing Loss. J Voice. 2023 Nov; 37(6):972.e1-972.e8.. View in PubMed
  • A Comparison of an Artificial Intelligence Tool to Fundamental Frequency as an Outcome Measure in People Seeking a More Feminine Voice. Laryngoscope. 2021 11; 131(11):2567-2571.. View in PubMed
  • Targeted Wellness Initiatives Are Most Effective for Reducing Otolaryngology Resident Burnout. Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Apr 13; 1455613211009139.. View in PubMed
  • Flexible Versus Rigid Laryngoscopy: A Prospective, Blinded Comparison of Image Quality. J Voice. 2023 May; 37(3):440-443.. View in PubMed
  • Association of Social Determinants of Health with Time to Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Oct; 130(10):1116-1124.. View in PubMed
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma for Vocal Fold Scar: A Preliminary Report of Concept. J Voice. 2023 Mar; 37(2):302.e17-302.e20.. View in PubMed
  • Factors Associated With Tolerance for In-Office Laryngeal Laser Procedures. Laryngoscope. 2021 07; 131(7):E2292-E2297.. View in PubMed
  • Effect of Vitamin B12 Injection on the Vocal Performance of Professional Singers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 01 01; 147(1):9-15.. View in PubMed
  • Deep Learning for Voice Gender Identification: Proof-of-concept for Gender-Affirming Voice Care. Laryngoscope. 2021 05; 131(5):E1611-E1615.. View in PubMed
  • Respiratory Particle Emission During Voice Assessment and Therapy Tasks in a Single Subject. J Voice. 2022 Nov; 36(6):784-792.. View in PubMed
  • Development of In-Office Laryngeal Nerve Conduction Studies: Computed Tomography and Cadaveric Study. Laryngoscope. 2021 07; 131(7):1566-1569.. View in PubMed
  • A Novel Approach to Vocal Fold Mucous Retention Cysts: Awake KTP Laser-Assisted Marsupialization. J Voice. 2022 Jul; 36(4):570-573.. View in PubMed
  • COVID-19 After Effects: Concerns for Singers. J Voice. 2022 07; 36(4):586.e7-586.e14.. View in PubMed
  • Safer Singing During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What We Know and What We Don’t. J Voice. 2021 Sep; 35(5):765-771.. View in PubMed
  • The Effect of Unilateral Hearing Protection on Vocal Intensity With Varying Degrees of Background Noise. J Voice. 2021 Nov; 35(6):886-891.. View in PubMed
  • Idiopathic Ulcerative Laryngitis: A National Survey of Academic Laryngologists. J Voice. 2021 Nov; 35(6):892-900.. View in PubMed
  • Pilot Evaluation of Community-Based Vocal Health Screenings. J Voice. 2021 Jul; 35(4):666.e1-666.e5.. View in PubMed
  • Flexible versus rigid laryngoscopy: A randomized crossover study comparing patient experience. Laryngoscope. 2020 11; 130(11):2663-2666.. View in PubMed
  • Comparative Treatment Outcomes for Patients With Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 01 01; 146(1):20-29.. View in PubMed
  • Trends in Diagnostic Flexible Laryngoscopy and Videolaryngostroboscopy Utilization in the US Medicare Population. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Aug 01; 145(8):716-722.. View in PubMed
  • The rising rate of nonsmokers among laryngeal carcinoma patients: Are we facing a new disease? Laryngoscope. 2020 03; 130(3):E108-E115. Shoffel-Havakuk H, O’Dell K, Johns MM , Reder L, Popova M, Halpe . View in PubMed
  • Service supply chains for population health: Overcoming fragmentation of service delivery ecosystems. Learn Health Syst. 2019 Apr; 3(2):e10186.. View in PubMed
  • Retained Nasal Trumpet for 20 Months: An Unusual Foreign Body. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Jan 01; 145(1):93-94.. View in PubMed
  • Common practices in botulinum toxin injection for spasmodic dysphonia treatment: A national survey. Laryngoscope. 2019 07; 129(7):1650-1656.. View in PubMed
  • In-office procedures for the treatment of benign vocal fold lesions in the awake patient: A contemporary review. Laryngoscope. 2019 09; 129(9):2131-2138.. View in PubMed
  • The root cause of physician burnout cannot be solved with resilience efforts [Editorial]. Ear Nose Throat J. 2018 Dec; 97(12):386.. View in PubMed
  • Guest Editorial. Ear Nose Throat J. 2018 Dec; 97(12):386.. View in PubMed
  • Validation of the OMNI vocal effort scale in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngoscope. 2019 02; 129(2):448-453.. View in PubMed
  • Professional and Patient Engagement, Visual Abstracts, and Applications to Otolaryngology-Social Media’s Siren Call. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 10 01; 144(10):865-866.. View in PubMed
  • Consensus-Based Attributes for Identifying Patients With Spasmodic Dysphonia and Other Voice Disorders. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 08 01; 144(8):657-665.. View in PubMed
  • Sociodemographic Characteristics and Treatment Response Among Aging Adults With Voice Disorders in the United States. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 08 01; 144(8):719-726.. View in PubMed
  • From Burnout to Wellness: A Professional Imperative. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 06; 158(6):967-969.. View in PubMed
  • Serial In-Office Intralesional Steroid Injections in Airway Stenosis. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Mar 01; 144(3):203-210.. View in PubMed
  • The Singer’s and the Clinician’s Perspective on Vitamin B12 Treatment for Vocal Benefits. J Voice. 2019 May; 33(3):352-356.. View in PubMed
  • Development and Validation of the Voice Catastrophization Index. J Voice. 2019 Mar; 33(2):232-238.. View in PubMed
  • Current practices for voice rest recommendations after phonomicrosurgery. Laryngoscope. 2018 05; 128(5):1170-1175.. View in PubMed
  • Health disparities among adults with voice problems in the United States. Laryngoscope. 2018 04; 128(4):915-920.. View in PubMed
  • Pharyngeal Dystonia Mimicking Spasmodic Dysphonia. J Voice. 2018 Mar; 32(2):234-238.. View in PubMed
  • Aerodynamic Patterns in Patients With Voice Disorders: A Retrospective Study. J Voice. 2017 Sep; 31(5):545-549.. View in PubMed
  • Learning in the health care enterprise. Learn Health Syst. 2017 Oct; 1(4):e10024.. View in PubMed
  • A low balance between microparticles expressing tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue factor is associated with thrombosis in Behçet’s Syndrome. Sci Rep. 2016 12 07; 6:38104.. View in PubMed
  • Is laryngeal framework surgery safe in the radiated larynx? Laryngoscope. 2017 04; 127(4):778-780. Shoffel-Havakuk H, Merati AL, Johns MM . View in PubMed
  • Botulinum Toxin-A Dosing Trends for Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia at a Single Institution Over 10 Years. J Voice. 2017 May; 31(3):363-365.. View in PubMed
  • Mid-membranous Vocal Fold Webs: Case Series. J Voice. 2017 May; 31(3):381.e1-381.e3.. View in PubMed
  • High Serum Immunoglobulin G and M Levels Predict Freedom From Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Hypertension: A Nested Case-Control Substudy of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. EBioMedicine. 2016 Jul; 9:372-380.. View in PubMed
  • Use of Regional Data to Validate and Recalibrate Self-reported Hypertension: Highlighting Differences in Immigrant Groups in New York City. J Immigr Minor Health. 2016 Feb; 18(1):202-9.. View in PubMed
  • The Effect of Head Position and/or Stance on the Self-perception of Phonatory Effort. J Voice. 2017 Jan; 31(1):131.e1-131.e4.. View in PubMed
  • The Risk of Vocal Fold Atrophy after Serial Corticosteroid Injections of the Vocal Fold. J Voice. 2016 Nov; 30(6):762.e11-762.e13.. View in PubMed
  • Predictors of Posterior Glottic Stenosis: A Multi-Institutional Case-Control Study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2016 Mar; 125(3):257-63.. View in PubMed
  • A cost and time analysis of laryngology procedures in the endoscopy suite versus the operating room. Laryngoscope. 2016 06; 126(6):1385-9.. View in PubMed
  • Voice Outcomes Following Posterior Cordotomy With Medial Arytenoidectomy in Patients With Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Aug; 141(8):728-32.. View in PubMed
  • Comparative effectiveness of propranolol and botulinum for the treatment of essential voice tremor. Laryngoscope. 2016 Jan; 126(1):113-7.. View in PubMed
  • Loose Cigarette Purchasing and Nondaily Smoking Among Young Adult Bar Patrons in New York City. Am J Public Health. 2015 Aug; 105(8):e140-7.. View in PubMed
  • Diagnostic Delays in Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Call for Clinician Education. J Voice. 2015 Sep; 29(5):592-4.. View in PubMed
  • Safety and efficacy of multiuse botulinum toxin vials for intralaryngeal injection. Laryngoscope. 2015 May; 125(5):1149-54.. View in PubMed
  • The epidemiology of dysphonia in the aging population. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Dec; 22(6):455-9.. View in PubMed
  • Actinomycosis of the pharynx. Ear Nose Throat J. 2014 Sep; 93(9):404-8.. View in PubMed
  • What is the optimal treatment for presbyphonia? Laryngoscope. 2014 Nov; 124(11):2439-40. Bradley JP, Hapner E, Johns MM . View in PubMed
  • Burnout among osteopathic otolaryngology residents: identification during formative training years. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014 Aug; 114(8):632-41.. View in PubMed

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