It’s not an overstatement to say that surgeons from The House Clinic revolutionized otology / neurotology in the second half of the twentieth century. In this episode of the BackTable ENT podcast, Dr. John House, son of the clinic’s founder, Howard, discusses the clinic’s fabled history with guest host Dr. Walter Kutz (UT Southwestern).

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. House recounts his father’s journey traveling the world to learn from renowned otolaryngologists, ultimately settling in Los Angeles where he established his practice. Working with his brother William, Howard started a clinic that popularized innovative treatments for otosclerosis, acoustic neuroma, and sensorineural hearing loss. While innovations like Howard’s cochlear implant and John’s House’s House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading Scale faced resistance at first, they eventually won widespread acceptance. The episode concludes with Dr. Kutz’s moving personal reflection on his time as a fellow at the House Clinic.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

05:41 - Dr. Howard House’s Path to Neurotology

17:14 - Dr. Bill House’s Passion Project: The Cochlear Implant

28:39 - Development of the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System

38:49 - The Evolution of Stapes Surgery

45:14 - House Alumnus Dr. Walter Kutz’s Journey

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RESOURCES

Dr. John House’s House Clinic Profile:

https://www.houseclinic.com/home/meet-the-team/profile/john-william-house-1/

Dr. Walter Kutz’s UT Southwestern Profile:

https://utswmed.org/doctors/joe-kutz/