In 1979, President and Founder, Dr. Herbert Silverstein established the Ear Research Foundation, Inc., in Sarasota, Florida, out of his desire to continue research and development, and to contribute to medical education in a private setting in the field of Otolaryngology. The Foundation is a non-profit, 501C-3 organization, registered through the State of Florida.

A board of volunteer Trustees drawn from the community governs the Foundation. A medical advisory board of specialists from around the world lends guidance and support.

The Members of the Board of Trustees for FY 2009 are:

Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS, President
Seth Rosenberg, MD, FACS, Vice President
Jeffrey Russell, Attorney, Chairman
T. Raymond Suplee, CPA, Treasurer
Jack J. Wazen, MD, FACS, Director of Research

Barbara Corbett
Charles Desenberg
Geoffrey Frazier
Charles Githler III
Eileen Hampshire
Brad Lerner, MD
John Moran
Jason Nippert
Edward Ogiba
Mark Williams

Jennifer Moss, APR, Executive Director

The Ear Research Foundation has Three Functional Goals:

Research and Development: Under the auspices of the Foundation, research continues advancements in microsurgery of the ear, the testing of new drugs and therapies for hearing loss and balance disorders, and new understanding of otologic disease processes.

Education: In addition to publications and lectures resulting from research initiatives, the Foundation maintains a complete microsurgical laboratory, and an audiovisual and scientific library for ear physicians and surgeons. Annual professional symposia and public lectures are offered covering a variety of common and unusual ear conditions. The Foundation also produces numerous free brochures and other informational media (such as this website).

Thirty-three doctors have been trained in a one-year, post residency, fellowship training program. Many of the graduates are in academic medicine and leaders in the field of Otology and Neurotology. Also, fifteen residents from the University of Pennsylvania have trained through sponsorship from the Ear Research Foundation at Florida Ear and Sinus Center. One of these residents, Todd Rowan, M.D., advanced to the post-graduate fellowship program.

Treatment: Free and Sliding Scale Clinic for those in need. The Foundation provides free and sliding scale clinic rates to help low-income children and individuals gain treatment with verifiable financial need. Each patient is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine ability to pay. Many patients are referred through agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Children's Medical Services, County Health Departments and others. Physicians donate their time treating patients and providing quality care. The Ear Research Foundation, Inc., has partnered with the SERTOMA Speech & Hearing Foundation to provide hearing aids to individuals who have hearing loss and cannot afford hearing aids. The Ear Research Foundation also raises special focus funds to assist in financing care for specific needs.

You Can Become a Part of This Worthy Organization

The Ear Research Foundation exists through the generosity of many individuals following the example of its founder. Tax-deductible donations underwrite the work of the Foundation and allow it to expand its important outreach. Donations are welcomed in any denomination, and opportunities for special recognition exist.

If you would like to acknowledge the value of the information made available to you through this free media, you may make a tax-exempt donation to the:

Ear Research Foundation
1901 Floyd Street
Sarasota, Florida 34239 USA.

941-366-9222 x 271

By donating $25 or more you qualify to receive a free CD of light Jazz produced by Dr. Herbert Silverstein. Click here to see a list his CDs, read reviews, and listen to individual tracks

You Can Become a Part of This Worthy Organization

The Ear Research Foundation, Inc. (ERF) exists through the generosity of many individuals. Tax-deductible donations underwrite the work of the Foundation and allow it to expand its important outreach. All gifts qualify the donor to receive the Foundation’s Annual Report and other mailings. See "Giving Options" below for a list of ways to donate.

Donations are welcomed in any denomination. If you would like to acknowledge the value of the information made available to you through this free website, you may make a tax-deductible donation to the Ear Research Foundation, Inc. at:

Ear Research Foundation
1901 Floyd Street
Sarasota, FL 34239 USA

You may also contact Jennifer Moss, APR, Executive Director of the Ear Research Foundation, at (941) 365-0367.

Please visit www.herbsilverstein.com to obtain a free jazz CD and make a SECURE ONLINE donation benefiting the Ear Research Foundation

Flanzer Hearing Outreach Program

The Flanzer Hearing Outreach Program began in December 2004 with a generous donation to the Ear Research Foundation from Gloria and Louis Flanzer. The Flanzers donated a $50,000 for the purpose of providing free hearing tests for children in Sarasota County.

The Ear Research Foundation recognizes that hearing issues present challenges during a child’s development. Vital years of learning are jeopardized if a child’s hearing loss goes undetected. We are firm believers in early intervention. The ultimate goal is to identify the hearing loss early, so that the child’s development is not interrupted or delayed.

We now partner with the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County to ensure that all Pre-K children are screened prior to entering Kindergarten. The hearing tests are provided on-site at day-care facilities, preschools, and charter schools. The test itself consists of an oto-acoustic emissions test where the audiologist holds a hand-held piece of equipment (similar to an ear thermometer) to the child’s ear. Thirty seconds later, the machine provides a print-out of the function of the cochlea. The audiologist will also perform a tympanometry test to measure middle ear pressure and detect if fluid is present. A standard audiogram is performed on older children.

The Ear Research Foundation brings state of the art equipment to the facility. If a child fails a hearing test, that child is referred to their Pediatrician, ENT or the Ear Research Foundation clinic for further testing and treatment.

The Ear Research Foundation is also available to nonprofit organizations for free hearing tests. The Ear Research Foundation is the non-profit division of the Silverstein Institute whose mission is to perform research, and to provide education and community service.

For more information or to schedule a group hearing test for your center, please contact Jennifer Moss at 941-366-9222 x 271.

Jane Malesardi Memorial Fund

"The Ear Research Foundation is a wonderful organization that provides vital services to the local community. The Jane Malesardi Memorial Fund will help them expand the good work that is being done!"

Barbara Corbett: Realtor-Associate with Michael Saunders and Company, a licensed real estate broker, has established the Jane Malesardi Memorial Fund for the Ear Research Foundation. Barbara and her husband, David, have been contributors and friends of the Ear Research Foundation for a number of years.

Donations to the Fund will support the Hearing Outreach Program as well as the Foundation's many other children's hearing programs including the free and sliding scale ear treatment clinic.

Welcoming the Millennium - A New Era, New Facilities

The Foundation Board of Trustees have moved into the Ear Research Foundation wing of the state-of-the-art research facility on the campus of the Silverstein Institute. The 20,000 square-foot Silverstein Institute building, designed by architect David Tichenor, AIA, houses a laboratory, multi-media library, conference room, administrative office space and a spacious meeting room/theater.

Opportunities are still available to sponsor or endow technical furnishings for the building. Financial or equipment gifts will receive prominent acknowledgment in the building. Click here to request additional information!

Support ERF by Ordering Jazz Tapes and CD’S!

Available through the Ear Research Foundation are numerous CDs of light Jazz produced by Dr. Herbert Silverstein. Enjoy our gift of any one of the titles with your tax-deductible contribution of $25 to the ERF. Click here to learn more!

Giving Options

A variety of giving options are provided below which help meet the Ear Research Foundation's goals and provide tax savings for you, as the donor. The information provided is basic and we encourage you to discuss details with your legal and financial advisors.

Cash

A gift of cash is the simplest way to support ERF. A cash gift is fully tax deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income for the year in which the gift is made and provides immediate support to ERF.

Securities

Gifts of securities are tax deductible at their fair market value up to 20% of your adjusted gross income for the year in which the gift is made. In addition, if a gift is made of appreciated securities, no tax is paid on the capital gain.

Bequest

A bequest to ERF is as simple as a codicil to your will. This is a common planned gift and it may provide you with valuable estate tax savings.

Bequests can be in the form of:

• stated dollar amount or specific property
• percentage of the estate tax, or
• portion or all of the residue.

Life Insurance

One of the simplest ways to make a significant contribution is to give a life insurance policy to ERF. This may be accomplished by donating a policy no longer needed, taking out a new policy or naming ERF as a beneficiary of an existing policy. A gift of life insurance may provide valuable income and estate tax savings.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity allows you to contribute assets to ERF and receive an income tax charitable deducation. In turn, we will provide you with a guaranteed income for life (the payout varies depending upon your age and other factors). This vehicle can ease the worries of outliving financial resources by providing a high income coupled with numerous tax advantages.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) allows you to establish a trust for the ultimate benefit of ERF, while retaining the income generated by the assets given. A CRT may help you eliminate capital gains taxes, reduce or eliminate estate taxes, improve lifetime cash flow, and when coupled with an asset replacement trust, will provide for heirs as well.

Pooled Income Fund

A pooled income fund works much like a mutual fund. You receive a variable amount of income each year and these assets go ultimately to ERF. This type of fund is especially attractive if you would like to contribute less than $50,000, receive a variable annual income and still receive all of the tax benefits of a charitable donation.

Retirement Accounts

Qualified retirement plan accounts are subjected to layers of taxation (i.e., estate tax, federal income tax and state income tax). For some accounts, the combination of these taxes can be as high as 75-85 percent. The 25-15 percent your heirs would have received may be replaced with an asset replacement trust. Numerous other innovative retirement planning giving opportunities exist, and we would be happy to provide additional assistance upon request.

Charitable Lead Trust

This trust allows you to provide income to ERF for a fixed number of years. The remainder is then returned to you or to your named beneficiary - your heirs, for example.

Life Estate

If you own valuable property that you would like to use during your lifetime, but make arrangement to give it to ERF upon death, you may receive a current income tax deduction and future estate tax deduction.

Other

ERF can devise a philanthropic plan that may include various gift assets, such as closely held stock (private or restricted stock), qualified or non-qualified stock options, or family limited partnership interests.

Program Related links:

Fellowship Overview
Fellowship Application Guidelines
Fellowship Application
SERF's Up Graduates
SERF's Up Discussion Forum

The Ear Research Foundation (ERF) established one of the first Clinical Fellowship's in the field of Otolaryngology in the United States. The Fellowship is in its 24th successful year and is a one-year program for board eligible Otolaryngologists. The post-graduate Fellows gain specialized training and cutting edge experience in the field of Otolaryngology.

The ERF Fellowship is a very active program with a great deal of "hands-on" training. Under the auspices of Dr. Herbert Silverstein, Dr. Seth Rosenberg and Dr. Jack Wazen, each Fellow treats private patients in the Florida Ear and Sinus Center and indigent patients referred by the Ear Research Foundation. They also assist in surgeries. Fellows take emergency room call on a rotating basis with other ENTphysicians in Sarasota and for Dr. Silverstein. Each Fellow also conducts research and documentation for several research papers during their tenure.

Fellows have access through the ERF to a complete microsurgical laboratory.  They also have access to an audiovisual and scientific library for ear physicians and surgeons.

The History of the Ear Research Foundation Fellowship

Dr. Herbert Silverstein founded the Ear Research Foundation (ERF) in 1979 with three main goals: research, education and treatment through community service. As part of the education commitment, the fellowship program was established in 1983.

Dr. Jack Wazen, the first fellow, was sent by the late Dr. Max Abramson of Columbia University to be trained for an academic position at Columbia Medical Center. Upon the completion of his fellowship, Dr. Wazen went on to become the director of Otology/Neurotology at Columbia for a period of ten years.  Dr. Wazen has since returned to Sarasota and joined the Silverstein Institute as a partner in 2006.

As of 2008, 34 fellows have graduated the one-year program. Some years, two fellows would be in training at the same time.  During the last few years the program has remained booked two years in advance.

In the last few years, certain fellowships have become certified and require a two-year commitment. These fellowships are essentially an extension of the residency program. The Ear Research Foundation decided not to apply for certification and will remain a one-year program.

The SERF’s Up group was formed in 1985. This acronymn stands for the Society of Ear Research Foundation Fellows. Honorary members include, Dr. John Shea Jr and the recently deceased Dr. Jean Bernard Causse. SERFs Up tries to meet twice a year; at the AAO and in another place for a weekend of educational interchange and fellowship.

The ERF Clinical Fellowship is a very didactic year and provides the fellows with a great deal of hands-on surgery under the supervision Dr’s Silverstein, Rosenberg and Wazen. The fellow also has his own clinic several days a week during which time he sees both private and indigent patients. One evening per week there is a fellow teaching conference during which we discuss difficult cases and various research projects. There is open communication with the teaching staff. Research is both encouraged and performed by each fellow in the form of record review and writing as well as presenting their project at a national meeting. At times, prospective studies are being conducted.

Since the inception of this program, over 200 scientific papers have been published by the fellows and staff.

All the fellows have graduated to become contributing members of the medical community.

Eight are in the Triological Society, 5 are in the American Otological Society. One is writing his thesis now. Ten are in academic medicine. Many are in private practice with a University affiliation.

Many of the graduates give teaching courses at the AAO. Some of them have achieved national recognition. Dr. Raleigh Jones has been Chairman of Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Kentucky since he graduated the fellowship in 1988. Dr’s Jack Wazen, Tom Haberkamp, Michael Seidman, Michael Hoffer, Eric Smouha, Hayes Wanamaker, and Seth Rosenberg are all well-known nationally.

In the early days of the fellowship, 15 to 20 vestibular neurectomies were being performed a year. About the same number of acoustic neuroma resections were also being done.

Now, with the changes in managed care that emphasize cost effectiveness and both minimal and conservative surgery, fewer skull base cases are being performed. Chronic ear surgery, stapes surgery, minimally invasive office surgery, and inner ear perfusions with gentamicin and dexamethasone make up the majority of cases now.

In summary, the ERF program has been very successful in fulfilling its mission and will continue to offer the program as long as there is an interest in a non-certified one-year fellowship program.

Ear Research Foundation - Current Research Studies and Projects
    
1. Neuromonics Tinnitus Suppression
A new system to program the brain to shut down the tinnitus activity.  For those patients who qualify for the study undergo treatment through a device that retrains the brain to no longer react negatively to the Tinnitus.

2. Totally Implantable Hearing Devices (Otologics)
A clinical study designed to assess effectiveness of an investigational, totally implantable and fully concealed hearing device, where the whole system is embedded under the skin and programmed by remote control.  Nothing is worn in the ear canal and no part of the device is visible externally. For many people, a hearing device restricts activities because it has to be removed before participation. It can prevent them from swimming, aerobics, or playing tennis and can interfere with sleeping and showering because of perspiration or other moisture.  In short, it can make the simple, enjoyable things in life more difficult.  Individuals 18 years of age or older, with moderate to severe hearing loss, who are currently wearing a hearing aid and who speak English, may be eligible to participate in this clinical research study.  The trial will incorporate 80 patients throughout the country.  For more information about the clinical research study for this investigational, fully implantable hearing device, please call 1-866-394-7320 or visit www.thehearingstudy.com.  

3. Partially Implantable Hearing Devices (Med-El) Round Window application.
This is a high definition digital device that stimulates the inner ear directly.  A magnet is surgically placed through the ear canal to the round window membrane. There is no ear plug, no whistling, no feedback.  Quality of hearing improvement is measured and documented.  

A clinical trial designed to investigate the use of approved Vibrant Soundbridge device in a new population of users, those with conductive and mixed hearing loss.  

This device allows for open ear canal which avoids common problems of traditional amplification such as occlusion, sweat and ear wax production interference. It also nearly eliminates feedback.  No part of the device sits on the ear and the external portion is hidden under the hair. 

Individuals 18 years of age or older, with conductive or mixed hearing loss who have been unsuccessful with traditional amplification and who speak English, may be eligible to participate in this clinical research study.    
For more information about the clinical research study for this investigational, You may also contact Med-El at  888-633-3524 or visit www.medel.com.  

4. Medication Delivery Method
Developing a method to deliver medication continuously to the  inner ear. This device is like a capsule and it is surgically placed on the round window membrane. The medication diffuses through the membrane into the inner ear fluids over a peroid of time.

5. Intratympanic Steroids
To treat inner ear conditions where steroids are needed without exposing the rest of the body to their side effects. A Microwick® is inserted into the middle ear and the patient self treats with steroid drops in the ear canal. Dexamethasone 4 mg/cc is used in cases of sudden deafness, Autoimmune inner ear disease, cochlear Meniere’s disease and subclinical Meniere’s disease( fullness in the ear).

6. Intrtympanic Antibotic (Gentamicin)
To treat Meniere’s Disease without exposing the rest of the body to medication side effects. A Microwick® is inserted into the middle ear and the patient self treats with medicated drops in the ear canal.  This helps alleviate symptoms of vertigo. The Gentamicin works by destroying cells of the balance center in the ear.

7. Single-Sided Deafness (BAHA)
Multiple studies are conducted on the treatment of single sided deafness, evaluating new stronger processors, the efficacy and safety of the device and procedure, long term satisfaction results, complications and their avoidance, and the design of a totally implantable device.
 
8. Cochlear Implant Outcomes
Examining outcomes of patients who have Cochlear Implants and are over the age of 80 to determine efficacy of the device and potential for improved quality of life.

9. Retuxan For Autoimmune Sensorinural Hearing loss
This is an immunological disorder that causes people to go deaf.  There is no treatment except steroids, which cannot be taken for long periods.  Retuxan may provide a successful treatment.

10. Ear Popper Study
A device that ventilates the ear in patients with pain when flying as well as those with poor Eustachian tube function.  We are also using the device to improve post-operative results.  

11. Soft Ear Speculum
To allow a comfortable ear exam and seals the ear to allow pneumo-otoscopy to be performed

12. Comparison of ENG & VEMP monitoring Gentamicin Perfusion

13. Natural History of Acoustic Neuroma

Ear Research Foundation is the 501c3 nonprofit division of the Silverstein Institute.

	Flanzer Hearing Outreach Program - Providing free hearing screenings to Sarasota County Pre-K children in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County ECHCOS Ear Clinic and Hearing Center of Sarasota - Providing free and sliding scale ear care for children with little or no insurance
	Partnership with the SERTOMA Speech & Hearing Foundation Providing Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids as payor of last resort to those meeting financial eligibility www.familyhearinghelp.org
	Free Community Lecture Series including: Meniere's Disease  Balance & Dizziness Disorders Chronic Sinusitis Tinnitus New Technology & Hearing Devices
	ERF Fellowship Training Program Minimally Invasive Otologic Surgery Course BAHA Hands-On Workshop

Flanzer Hearing Outreach Program

The Flanzer Hearing Outreach Program began in December 2004 with a generous donation to the Ear Research Foundation from Gloria and Louis Flanzer. The Flanzers donated a $50,000 for the purpose of providing free hearing tests for children in Sarasota County. This program was supplemented in 2005 with a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Client Foundation through our local Selby Foundation.  We currently partner with the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County to ensure that all pre-K children are screened prior to entering Kindergarten. 

The Ear Research Foundation recognizes that hearing issues present challenges during a child’s development. Vital years of learning are jeopardized if a child’s hearing loss goes undetected. We are firm believers in early intervention. The ultimate goal is to identify any hearing loss early so that the child’s development is not interrupted or delayed.

The hearing test is provided on-site at day-care facilities, preschools, and charter schools. The test itself consists of an oto-acoustic emissions test where the audiologist holds a hand-held piece of equipment (similar to an ear thermometer) to the child’s ear. Thirty seconds later, the machine provides a print-out of the function of the cochlea. The audiologist will also perform a tympanometry test to measure middle ear pressure and detect if fluid is present. A standard audiogram is performed on older children.

The Ear Research Foundation brings state of the art equipment to the facility. If a child fails a hearing test, that child is referred to their physician or can contact the Ear Research Foundation clinic for further testing and treatment.

Ear Research Foundation is also available to any nonprofit organization to provide free hearing tests. The Ear Research Foundation is the non-profit division of the Silverstein Institute whose mission is to perform research and to provide education and community service.

For more information or to schedule a group hearing test for your center, please contact Jennifer Moss, Executive Director, at 941-366-9222 x 271.

Hearing Aid Recycling - The ERF works with the SERTOMA Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida to recycle your old hearing aids and receive credits toward new devices for local children and adults in need. Although the credits help, there is still more demand for assistance then credited new hearing aids to provide.  Please contact us if you would like to contribute hearing aids, or make a financial contribution to provide a world of sound to those faced with a hearing impairment.

Hearing Screening - The ERF provides free hearing screening in cooperation with health fairs, civic and non-profit organizations. Over 35,000 children and adults have been screened for hearing problems since the inception of the program. Senior centers, daycare centers, Boys and Girls clubs, schools and others have worked with the ERF to deliver the screenings. Qualified physicians, medical personnel and audiologists donate their time to help identify any potential problems early. An annual hearing screening is a recommended as a continuing practice to maintain good hearing health.

Meniere's Symposium - This symposium on Ménière's disease, dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders is held several times a year in Sarasota, FL.  A myriad of experts share information on the disease process, treatments and surgeries to combat the debilitating effects of Ménière's and its related symptoms. Speakers and a patient panel interact with the audience to answer questions and share experiences. If you are interested in attending the Ménière's Symposium, call 941-366-9222 x 271. The Symposium is free to the public. Please make your reservations early, as space fills quickly.

Speakers Bureau - The ERF maintains a speakers bureau to provide information about the Foundation. If you would like a foundation representative to present to your group, please contact us.