MichaelJosephO'LearyMDCAPT/MC/USNret

Otolaryngology (ENT) • San Diego, CA

Neurotology

Chief, Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery, Senta Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA

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Office
3950 Camino del Rio Norte
ste#101
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone+1 619-742-5715

Fax+1 619-367-0398

Summary

Biography Michael J. O’Leary, MD

Dr. Michael O'Leary specializes in all aspects of ear problems, with unique expertise in correction of “surfer’s ears” (Exostosis), rehabilitation of chronic mastoid “bowls” and hearing restoration from stapes surgery to cochlear implants.

“Dr O” graduated from Georgetown Medical School in 1980 (magna cum laude) and completed his ENT residency at Naval Hospital San Diego. After board-certification, he completed a NeurOtology/Skullbase Surgery Fellowship at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles followed by a Head & Neck Microsurgery Fellowship at Washington University. He was elected to AOA - the honor medical society and received the American Academy of Otolaryngology “Honor Award”. Military decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Meritorious Service Medal. He is a member of numerous medical associations, and was past president of the San Diego ENT Society, the Society of Military Otolaryngologists, and the House Fellowship Alumni. He also served as Chairman of the Skull Base Surgery Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery. He is a founding partner of the Senta Clinic in San Diego, an integrated, multidisciplinary subspecialty group focusing on disorders of the skullbase. Doctor O'Leary has authored or presented more than 90 scientific works focused on the ear and skull base, including 10 book chapters. He is also an Eagle Scout.

Dr. O’Leary’s interest in medicine emanated from the positive role model of his dad, Denis J. O’Leary, a pulmonary specialist trained in Ireland coupled with a genuine interest in people. He completed his Navy career as a Captain and started his private practice by helping found the Senta Clinic in 2000. The ear is his passion and he is grateful every day for the opportunity to help his patients with hearing and balance problems.

Education & Training

Washington University/B-JH/SLCH ConsortiumFellowship, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology/Microvascular Reconstruction, 1990 - 1991
University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (USC/LA General)Fellowship, Neurotology, 1989 - 1990
Naval Medical Center (San Diego)Residency, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1982 - 1986
Naval Medical Center (San Diego)Internship, Internal Medicine, 1980 - 1981
Georgetown University School of MedicineClass of 1980
University of RochesterB.A., Cum Laude, 1976

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 1986 - 2025
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Otolaryngology
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Neurotology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Top Doctors U.S.News & World Report
Top Doctors Castle Connolly, 2018
Meritorious Service Medal 2000
Honor Award American Academy Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 2000
Staff of the Year NMCSD ENT Residents, 1999
Expert Pistol 1994
Meritorius Service Award 1992
Expert Rifleman 1992
Navy Commendation Medal 1987
First Prize Military AOHNS Resident Paper Competitions, 1984, 1987
First Prize San Diego AOHNS Resident Paper, 1984, 1986
Navy Achievement Medal 1982
Battle Excellence Award 1981-1982
Alpha Omega Alpha 1980
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
Fellow (FACS) American College of Surgeons
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

83 citations
Efficacy of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protecting ears exposed to loud music.
Steven J. Kramer, Laura E. Dreisbach, Jill Lockwood, Kristy Baldwin, Richard D. Kopke
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. 2006-04-01
53 citations
A genetic polymorphism of the α2-adrenergic receptor increases autonomic responses to stress
J. Clayton Finley, Michael J. O'Leary, Derin Wester, Steven MacKenzie, Neil T. Shepard
Journal of Applied Physiology. 2004-06-01
130 citations
Targeted topical steroid therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Richard D. Kopke, Michael E. Hoffer, Derin Wester, Michael J. O'Leary, Ronald L. Jackson
Otology & Neurotology. 2001-07-01

Journal Articles

Efficacy of the Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in Protecting Ears Exposed to Loud Music.
Kramer SJ, Dreisbach L, Lockwood J, Baldwin K, Kopke R, Scranton S, Oleary M, J Amer Acad Audiology, 1/1/2006
A Genetic Polymorphism of the Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptor Increases Autonomic Responses to Stress.
Finley Jr JC, O’Leary M, Wester D, Mackenzie S, Shepard N, Farrow S, Lockette W, J Appl Physiol, 1/1/2004
Radiation exposure of normal temporal bone structures during stereotactically guided gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannomas.
Linskey ME, Johnstone PA, O’Leary M, Goetsch S, J Neurosurg, 1/1/2003
Targeted topical steroid therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Kopke RD, Hoffer ME, Wester D, O’Leary MJ, Jackson RL, Otol Neurotol, 1/1/2001
Morphologic Changes in the Inner Ear of Chinchilla laniger Following Middle Ear Administration of Gentamicin in a Sustained-Release Vehicle.
Hoffer ME, Balough BJ, Kopke RD, Henderson J, DeCicco MJ, Wester DC, O’Leary MJ, Balaban C, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/1999
DeCicco MJ, Hoffer ME, Kopke RD, Wester D, Allen KA, Gottshall K, and O’Leary MJ, Int Tinnitus J, 1/1/1998
Kinetics of Gentamicin Uptake in the Inner Ear of Chinchilla laniger After Middle-Ear Administration in a Sustained Release Vehicle.
Balough BJ, Hoffer ME, Wester DC, O’Leary MJ, Brooker CR, Goto M, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/1998
Use of Sustained Release Vehicles in the Treatment of Meniere’s Disease.
Hoffer ME, Balough BJ, Henderson J, DeCicco M, O’Leary MJ, Kopke RD, Otolaryngology Clinics of North America, 1/1/1997
Venous Channels of the Petrous Apex - Their Presence and Clinical Importance.
Gadre AK, Brodie HA, Fayad JN, O’Leary MJ, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/1997
A Scanning Electron Microscope Study of the Human Cervical Lymph Node.
Gadre AK, Briner W, O’Leary MJ, Acta Otolaryngology, 1/1/1994
The Neurocutaneous Free Fibula Flap in Mandibular Reconstruction.
O’Leary MJ, Martin PJ, Hayden RE, Otolaryngology Clinics of North America, 1/1/1994
Free Tissue Transfer in Oromandibular Reconstruction: Necessity or Extravagance?
Martin PJ, O’Leary MJ, Hayden RE, Otolaryngology Clinics of North America, 1/1/1994
Skull Base Reconstruction.
O’Leary MJ, Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 1/1/1994
Commentary on “The Supramalleolar Flap Based on Septocutaneous Perforators for Intraoral Soft Tissue Replacement”
O’Leary MJ, The Otolaryngology Journal Club Journal, 1/1/1994
Auditory Brainstem Implant: II. Postsurgical Issues and Performance.
Shannon RV, Fayad J, Moore J, Lo W, Otto S, Nelson RA, O’Leary MJ, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/1993
Arterial Supply of the Endolymphatic Sac in Humans.
Gadre AK, Zackhary R, O’Leary MJ, Fayad JN, Linthicum FH, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/1993
The Synthetic E1 Prostaglandin, Misoprostal, as a Treatment for Tinnitus.
Briner W, House JW, O’Leary MJ, Arch Otolaryngol, 1/1/1993
Glomus Tympanicum Tumors - A Clinical Perspective.
O’Leary MJ, Shelton C, Giddings NA, Kwartler J, Brackmann DE, Laryngoscope, 1/1/1991
Electrode Insertion Trauma in Cochlear Implantation.
O’Leary MJ, Fayad J, Linthicum F, House WF, Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1/1/1991
Cochleosaculotomy Revisited: Long Term Results Poorer Than Expected.
Giddings NA, O’Leary MJ, Shelton C, Brackmann DE, Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1/1/1991
The Lateral Skull Base: A Vascular Perspective With Clinical Implications.
Gadre AK, O’Leary MJ, Zackhary R, Linthicum FH, House WF, Skull Base Surgery, 1/1/1991
Technical Modifications of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: The Role of the Palatopharyngeus.
O’Leary MJ, Millman RP, Laryngoscope, 1/1/1988
Myocutaneous Fenestration Tracheostomy in Sleep Apnea Patients.
O’Leary MJ, Farrel G, Laryngoscope, 1/1/1986
Rat Epigastric Pedicle Model: A Clinically Relevant Evaluation of 1 MM. PTFE Grafts.
Barttlebort SW, O’Leary MJ, Schneider J, Woodruff W, Microsurgery, 1/1/1985
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Books/Book Chapters

Neurotology.
Chapter: Reconstruction of Cranial Base Defects.
Page 1004 - 1027O’Leary MJ, Ghosh S, Hayden REEditors: Jackler RK, Brackmann DE.Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, PAEdition 2nd,2005
Quality and Cost in Neurological Surgery. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Concepts in Neurosurgery Series
Chapter: Real-time Quality Metrics: The Outpatient Clinical Dashboard.
Page 211 - 234O’Leary MJEditors: Linskey ME.Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD2001
Advances in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Chapter: Stereotactic Advances in Otolaryngology/Skull Base Surgery.
Page 127 - 161O’Leary MJEditors: Myers EN.Mosby, St. Louis, MO2000
Tumors of the Ear and Temporal Bone
Chapter: Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Auricle.
Page 29 - 55Balough BJ, O’Leary MJ, Martin PJEditors: Jackler RK, Driscoll C.Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, PA2000
Meniere’s Disease 1999 – Update, Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Meniere’s Disease
Chapter: Clinical Results with the Round Window Microcatheter and Microdose Gentamicin in the Treatment of Meniere’s Disease.
Page 605 - 611Hoffer ME, Kopke RD, Gottshall KR, Wester DC, O’Leary MJ, Allen KAEditors: Sterkers O, Ferray E, Dauman R, Sauvage JP, Tran Ba Huy P.Kugler Publications, The Hague, The Netherlands2000
Meniere’s Disease 1999 – Update, Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Meniere’s Disease
Chapter: Vestibular Function After Microcatheter Gentamicin Compared to Transtympanic Dosing.
Page 655 - 662Kopke RD, Hoffer ME, Gottshall KR, Wester DC, Allen K, Jackson R, O’Leary MJEditors: Sterkers O, Ferray E, Dauman R, Sauvage JP, Tran Ba Huy.Kugler Publications, The Hague, The Netherlands2000
Meniere’s Disease 1999 – Update, Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Meniere’s Disease
Chapter: Small Animal Model for Assessing Vestibular Function After Gentamicin Administration.
Page 743 - 753Jackson R, Kopke RD, Hoffer ME, Allen K, Rasmussen M, Balaban C, Wester DC, O’Leary MJEditors: Sterkers O, Ferray E, Dauman R, Sauvage JP, Tran Ba Huy P.Kugler Publications, The Hague, The Netherlands2000
Meniere’s Disease 1999 – Update, Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Meniere’s Disease,
Chapter: Vestibular Rehabilitation after Low Dose Microcatheter Gentamicin Treatment for Meniere’s Disease.
Page 663 - 668Gottshall KR, Hoffer ME, Kopke RD, Wester DC, O’Leary MJEditors: Sterkers O, Ferray E, Dauman R, Sauvage JP, Tran Ba Huy P.Kugler Publications, The Hague, The Netherlands2000
Neurotology
Chapter: Reconstruction of Cranial Base Defects.
Page 1029 - 1048O’Leary MJ, Hayden REEditors: Jackler RK, Brackmann DE.Mosby, St. Louis, MO1994
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Chapter: Mandibular Reconstruction.
Page 424 - 434Hayden RE, O’Leary MJEditors: Papel IR, Nachlas NE.Mosby, St. Louis, MO1992
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Chapter: Malignant Neoplasms of the Oropharynx.
Page 1306 - 1354Thawley SE, O’Leary MJEditors: Cummings CW, Fredrickson JM, et al.Mosby, St. Louis, MOEdition 2nd,1992
Proceedings of the 4th International Tinnitus Seminar.
Chapter: The Synthetic Prostaglandin Misoprostal as a Treatment for Tinnitus.
Page 127 - 130Briner W, House JW, O’Leary MJEditors: Aran JM, Bauman R.Kluger, New York1992
Insights in Otolaryngology
Chapter: Soft Tissue Reconstruction in Skull Base Surgery.
O’Leary MJ, Hayden REMosby, St. Louis, MO1991
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Abstracts/Posters

Meningioma Patients Treated with Cyberknife Radiosurgery: A Review of 24 Cases [abstract].
Smith, DE, Ghosh S, O’Leary M, Chu G, The Proceedings of ACRO, 2/14/2013
Head Mounted Display (HMD): Surgical Informatics Portal of the Future.
O'Leary MJ, North American Skull Base Society 17th Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 2/19/2006
Holmium Laser Assisted Endoscopic Transphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain, Skull Base, and Spine, Pittsburgh. PA, 10/1/2005
Applications of a Head-Mounted Display in Minimal Morbidity Skull Base Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain, Skull Base, and Spine, Pittsburgh. PA, 10/1/2005
Selective 12-7 Crossover Grafts for Reanimation of Facial Paralysis.
O'Leary MJ, North American Skull Base Society 16th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 4/9/2005
Mobile Access to Electronic Medical Records and Physician Order Entry.
O'Leary MJ, San Diego Telecom Council’s Telehealth Special Interest Group, La Jolla, CA, 11/13/2002
Surgical Robotics.
O'Leary MJ, Annual Meeting, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Denver, CO, 9/12/2001
Stereotactic Advances in Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, 2nd Baja ENT Symposium, Tijuana, Mexico, 8/19/2000
Foundational Principles. Franklin - Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Course.
O'Leary MJ, Navy Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 7/24/2000
The “Power Mastoidectomy” Technique.
O'Leary MJ, 6th International Conference on Cholesteatoma and Ear Surgery, Cannes Cote D’Azur, France, 6/26/2000
Begin the Swing with Balance.
O'Leary MJ, UCSD Golf Medicine Course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA, 3/21/2000
Future Applications of Stereotactic Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, Skull Base Surgery 2000, Annual Meeting of the North American Society of Skull Base Surgery, Phoenix, 3/19/2000
The Genetics of Motion Sickness.
O'Leary MJ, 9th International Symposium on Inner Ear Medicine and Surgery, Aspen, CO, 3/12/2000
Fibrin Glue in Endoscopic Transphenoidal Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, Surgical Applications of Tissue Sealants, Cambridge Healthtech Institute, San Francisco, CA, 10/9/1999
Neuronavigation in Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, American Neurotology Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 9/25/1999
Stereotactic Advances in Skull Base Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, 10th British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology, Cambridge, England, 7/7/1999
Sustained-release Ototopical Gentamicin: in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetics.
O'Leary MJ, 4th International Symposium on Meniere’s Disease, Paris, France, 4/12/1999
Future Stereotactic Applications.
O'Leary MJ, Annual Meeting, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, San Antonio, TX, 9/13/1998
Advantages of a Head-Mounted Display in Skull Base Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, 2nd International Symposium on Minimally Invasive Techniques in Skull Base Surgery, Toulouse, France, 7/2/1998
Gentamicin Release Kinetics from Fibrin Sealant in Vestibular Disorders.
O'Leary MJ, Emerging Applications of Tissue Sealants, 3rd Annual Seminar, San Diego, CA, 5/3/1998
Personal Information Manager Seminar.
O'Leary MJ, Annual Meeting, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, San Francisco, CA, 9/9/1997
Strategic Telemedicine.
O'Leary MJ, Pacific Coast Oto-Ophthalmological Society, Coronado, CA, 6/23/1997
Fibrin Sealant - ENT.
O'Leary MJ, Emerging Applications of Tissue Sealant, 2nd Annual Seminar, San Diego, CA, 5/6/1997
Technical Enhancements of Retrosigmoid Craniotomy.
O'Leary MJ, 2nd Pan Pacific Neurosurgery Congress, Maui, HI, 3/27/1997
A Microendoscopic Workstation in Head & Neck Surgery.
O'Leary MJ, 4th International Conference on Head & Neck Cancer, Toronto, Canada, 7/31/1996
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Lectures

The Power Mastoidectomy.
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Grand Rounds, University California at Irvine, Irvine, CA. Otolar - 6/6/2012
Otologic Aspects of Down Syndrome.
Noah Home Annual In-service, Spring Valley, CA - 9/30/2006
Evolution of Skull Base Surgery: A Minimalist Approach.
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Grand Rounds, University California San Diego, San Diego, CA - 4/28/2006
Reconstruction in Skull Base Surgery.
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Grand Rounds, University California at Irvine, Irvine, CA - 12/1/2004
Technological Advances in Modern Skull Base Surgery.
Neurosurgical Grand Rounds, University California at Irvine, Irvine, CA - 12/1/2004
Mobile Enhancements to Clinical Practice. TEPR - Towards the Electronic Patient Record.
Wireless Programs, Seattle, WA. Instructional Course at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, New - 9/15/2004
Mining Performance Measures from Electronic Medical Records.
American Medical Association with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), EPMSP Baltimore, - 10/22/2003
Managing the Information Explosion and Still Having a Life.
Mini-seminar, American Academy of Otolaryngology, San Diego, CA - 9/25/2002
The 4 Step Process to Digital Medical Practice Transformation.
Instructional Course at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, San Diego, CA - 9/23/2002
A Non-Surgical Treatment for Refractory Meniere’s disease: The Meniett Low Pressure Pulse Generator.
San Diego Vestibular and Balance Support Group, La Jolla, CA - 4/23/2002
Fibrin Sealants in Otolaryngology.
Surgical Applications of Tissue Sealants and Adhesives, New Orleans, LA - 10/6/2001
Technological Advances in the Hearing Healthcare.
CCHAT School for the Deaf, Encinitas, CA - 5/17/2001
Hearing Health Care.
Cranial Conference Series, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, San Diego, CA - 1/24/2001
New Approaches in the Management of Imbalance.
SDRI Lecture Series, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, San Diego, CA - 1/16/2001
Augmented Fibrin Sealant for the Treatment of Meniere’s Disease: In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics.
Novel Clinical Applications with a New Human Liquid Fibrin Sealant. Chicago, IL - 10/22/2000
The “Ideal” Fibrin Sealant.
Novel Clinical Applications with a New Human Liquid Fibrin Sealant. Chicago, IL - 10/22/2000
Contemporary Management of Acoustic Neuromas.
Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY. ENT Resident Lecture - 10/18/2000
Microvascular Surgery Course.
Navy Medical Center, San Diego, CA - 6/19/2000
Mastoidectomy: Cadaver Prosection.
6th International Conference on Cholesteatoma and Ear Surgery, Cannes Cote D’Azur, France - 6/6/2000
Temporal Bone Surgery: Traditional Principles and Emerging Concepts.
UCSD Temporal Bone Course, San Diego, CA - 5/23/2000
Computer Advances in Medicine.
16th Annual ACS Head & Neck Conference, La Jolla, CA - 3/10/2000
Stereotactic Applications in Skull Base Surgery.
Grand Rounds Presentation, Barrow’s Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ. Grand Rounds Presentation, - 12/3/1999
Y2K and Beyond: Computer Advances in Medicine.
Phoenix ENT Society, Phoenix, AZ. Sacramento ENT Society, Sacramento, CA - 12/2/1999
Habit 3: Putting First Things First.
Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Course, San Diego, CA - 10/22/1999
Lateral Graft Tympanoplasty.
Cincinnati ENT Society Meeting, Cincinnati, OH. Otolaryngology Residents Conference, Mount Sinai Sch - 10/14/1999
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