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About Dr. John M. Epley

Since founding the PORTLAND OTOLOGIC CLINIC in 1975, Dr. John Epley has become internationally known in the field of otology and neuro-otology. By and large, his contributions have resulted in less invasive, less risky and more effective management of vestibular disorders.

Dr. Epley is most widely noted for his "Canalith Theory" as the cause of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), and for development of the "Epley Maneuvers" (Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers) for its treatment. This treatment and the supporting concepts are regarded as one of the greatest breakthroughs in the vestibular field in this century.

Dr. Epley attended medical school at the Oregon Health Sciences University, interned at the University of Miami Medical School in Florida, served 3 years with the Strategic Air Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and did a 4-year residency training program in otolaryngology at Stanford Medical Center in California. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Soon after he began medical practice in Portland, Oregon, he became concerned over the number of people disabled with vestibular disorders and the lack of medical knowledge for treating it. Since that time he has dedicated his career to the research and development of treatment for vestibular disorders. To carry out this plan, he established the Portland Otologic Clinic.

Apart from his clinical work, Dr. Epley is a well-published researcher and frequent lecturer at conferences and symposia. He is internationally known for his bold and innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders, and he has devised new surgical techniques and patented several medical inventions. He is a member of the American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, International Barany Society, Prosper Meniere Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Medical Association, Oregon Medical Association and Medical Society of Greater Portland.

EDUCATION:

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR - BS (Physics), l953
University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, OR - MD, l957
(Now Oregon Health Sciences University)
Internship: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, l957-58
Residency (Otolaryngology): Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, l961-65

SERVICE:

USAF Medical Officer, Captain - 1958-61
Strategic Air Command, Vandenberg AFB, CA

MEDICAL ACTIVITIES

PRIVATE PRACTICE: Portland, OR, 1965 to present

SPECIALTY: Otology and Neurotology

PROFESSIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: American Board of Otolaryngology, l966

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS:

Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR
Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, OR
Woodland Park Hospital, Portland, OR

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Oregon Academy of Otolaryngology
American Neurotology Society
American Otologic Society
Prosper Meniere Society
International Barany Society
American Medical Association
Oregon Medical Association
Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland

AWARDS: l984 Honor Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology - HNS

EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

PUBLICATIONS

Simmons FB, Epley JM, Lummis RC, Guttman N, Frishkopf LS, Harmon LD, Zwicker E:
Auditory nerve: electrical stimulation in man. Science 148:104-106, l965.

Epley JM: Computer management of hearing conservation records.
National Safety News; May, l974.

Epley JM: Modified technique of iontophoretic anesthesia for myringotomy in children.
Archives of Otolaryngology 103:358-360, l977.

Epley JM: Air-caloric delivery tube adapter. (New instrument) Archives of Otolaryngology
86:932-932, l978.

Epley JM: In situ molded silicones in middle ear reconstruction. Transactions of the
Pacific Coast Oto-Ophthalmological Society 60:85-93, l979.

Epley JM: Singular neurectomy: hypotympanotomy approach.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 88: 304-309, l980.

Epley JM: Hypotympanotomy retractor (New instrument). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery
88: 470-471, l980.

Epley JM: New dimensions of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 88: 599-605, l980.

Epley JM: Electronic probe for eustachian tube patency and objective tinnitus (New instrument).
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 89: 854-855, l98l.

Epley JM: Reflexogenic vertigo treated by tensor tympani transection.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 89: 849-853, l981.

Epley JM: Tympanic membrane debridement with CO2 laser.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 89: 898-902, l981.

Epley JM: A historical overview and perspective of implantable hearing devices.
Surgery of the Inner Ear, edited by I Kaufman Arenberg, Kugler Publications, Amsterdam; 1991.

Epley JM: Analysis of the Hennebert test response via EAC anesthesia.
Surgery of the Inner Ear, edited by I Kaufman Arenberg, Kugler Publications, Amsterdam; 1991.

Epley JM: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: New methods of diagnosis and management.
In: Johnson JT, Derkay CS, Mandell-Brown MK, Newman RK, eds.
Instructional Courses AAO-HNS 5:197-207, Mosby, St. Louis, MO; 1992.

Epley JM: The canalith repositioning procedure: For treatment of benign paroxysmal positional
vertigo. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 107:399-404, 1992.

Epley JM: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Diagnosis and non-surgical management.
In: I Kaufman Arenberg ed. Dizziness & Balance Disorders. Kugler, Amsterdam; 1993.

Epley JM: Aberrant Coupling of Otolithic Receptors: Manifestations and Assessment.
In: I Kaufman Arenberg ed. Dizziness & Balance Disorders. Kugler, Amsterdam; 1993.

Epley JM: Fine points in the canalith repositioning procedure for treatment of BPPV.
Insights in Otolaryngology 9(2): 2-8, 1994.

Epley JM: Positional vertigo related to semicircular canalithiasis.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 112(1):154-161; 1995.

Epley JM: Particle repositioning for benign positional vertigo.
Otolaryngology Clinics of North America 29(2): April, 1996.

Epley JM: Caveats in particle repositioning for treatment of canalithiasis. Operative Techniques in
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 8(2): June, 1997.

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOTAPES

Epley JM: "Canalith Repositioning". Vortex Media, Portland, OR: 1996.

Epley JM: "Canalith Repositioning" (Epley Maneuvers). Maruzen Company, Tokyo, Japan, 2001.
(in Japanese)

PRESENTATIONS

"Implantable Hearing Amplifier"
Otologic Electronic Implant Symposium, Stanford Medical Center; l972.

"Hearing Conservation"
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, DC; July, l975.

"Custom Molded Reconstruction of the Tympanic Membrane and Bony Canal Wall"
Presented as Scientific Poster, American Academy of Otolaryngology; October, l976.

"Air-caloric Delivery Tube Adapter" (New instrument)
Eighty-second Annual Meeting of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Dallas, TX; October 2-6, l977.

"Post-stapedectomy Incus Erosion Associated with Eustachian Patency"
Presented as Scientific Poster, American Academy of Otolaryngology, October, l978. "Intrasurgical Audiometry" Presented as Scientific Poster, American Academy of
Otolaryngology, October, l978.

"In Situ Molded Silicones in Middle Ear Reconstruction"
Pacific Coast Oto-Ophthalmological Society, Monterey, CA; May, l979.

"New Dimensions of BPPV"
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting
Dallas, TX; October, 1979.

"Hypotympanotomy Retractor" (New Instrument)
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX;
October, 1979.

"Temporary Pharmacological Labyrinthectomy for Evaluating the Hypofunctional Labyrinth"
(Co-author with Dominic Hughes)
Presented as Scientific Poster, American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS;
October, l979.

"Singular Neurectomy, hypotympanotomy approach"
Presented as Scientific Poster, American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS;
October, l979.

"Intraoperative Audiometry in the Awake Patient"
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA;
October, 1980.

"Electronic Probe for Eustachian Tube Patency and Objective Tinnitus" (New instrument)
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA;
October, 1980.

"Reflexogenic Vertigo Treated by Tensor Tympani Transection"
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting
Anaheim, CA; October, 1980.

"Tympanic Membrane Debridement of the CO2 Laser"
American Academy of Otolaryngology-HNS, Annual Meeting
Anaheim, CA; October, 1980

"The CO2 Laser and Ear Surgery"
Oregon Otolaryngology Alumni Annual Meeting; Portland, OR,
Jan, l983.

1) "History of Implantable Hearing Aid Development"
2) "Treatment of BPPV via Mobilization of Displaced Otoliths"
2nd International Symposium on Surgery of the Inner Ear,
Snowmass, CO; August, l986.

1) "Management of Benign Positional Vertigo"
2) "Management of Post-traumatic Vertigo"
3) "Implantable Hearing Aids"
Streit Memorial Seminar - Walter Reed Medical Center,
Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, DC; March, l987.

1) "A Historical Overview and Perspective of Implantable Hearing Devices"
2) "Analysis of the Hennebert Test Response via EAC Anesthesia"
3rd International Symposium on Surgery of the Inner Ear,
Snowmass, CO; July 29 - Aug 4, l990.

1) "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - An Overview"
2) "Canalith Repositioning, A Therapeutic Maneuver"
3rd Annual Symposium on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; Nov, 1991.

1) "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - An Overview"
2) "Canalith Repositioning, A Therapeutic Maneuver"
4th Annual Symposium on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; Dec, 1992.

"Otogenic Head Tremor"
Western Section Meeting of the Triologic Society, Seattle, WA; February, 1993.

1)"Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - An Overview"
2)"Canalith Repositioning, A Therapeutic Maneuver"
3)"Aberrant Coupling of Otolithic Receptors: Manifestations and Assessment"
5th Annual Symposium on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; Dec 8-12, 1993.

"Positional Vertigo"
Symposium on Clinical Applications of Vestibular Science,
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; Feb. 12-13, 1994.

"BPPV: Overview"
Fourth International Symposium and Workshops on Inner Ear Medicine and Surgery,
July 16-23, 1994, Snowmass-Aspen, CO.

1) "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - An Overview"
2) "Canalith Repositioning, A Therapeutic Maneuver"
3) "Aberrant Coupling of Otolithic Receptors: Manifestations and Assessment"
6th Annual Interdisciplinary Seminar on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; Dec 7-11, 1994.

"Canalith Repositioning"
Colorado Neurological Institute, Denver, CO, Dec 6, 1994.

"Technique of Streptomycin Perfusion"
Consensus Conference: Streptomycin/Gentamicin Perfusion,
Memphis, TN, Feb 11, 1995

"Positional Vertigo Related to Semicircular Canalithiasis"
Symposium on Clinical Applications of Vestibular Science,
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; Feb 12-13, 1994.

"Benign positional Vertigo--New Treatments: Particle Repositioning"
One Hundred Twenty-Eighth Annual Meeting of the American
Otological Society, Palm Desert, CA, Apr 29-30, 1995.

"The Dizzy Patient: Breakthroughs in Management"
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Family Practice,
Anaheim, CA, Sept. 21-23, 1995.

1) "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - An Overview"
2) "Canalith Repositioning, A Therapeutic Maneuver"
3) "Aberrant Coupling of Otolithic Receptors: Manifestations and Assessment"
7th Annual Interdisciplinary Seminar on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; December, 1995.

"Aminoglycoside Perfusion of the Inner Ear Via the Round Window"
Neurotology Grand Rounds, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Portland, OR, Jan 12, 1996.

"Diagnosis and Treatment of Benign Postural Vertigo"
Lecture Series; V M Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington,
Sept 11, 1996

"Canalith Repositioning"
Greater Seattle Otology Study Club, Sept 11, 1996

"New Treatments - Canalith Repositioning"
American Neurotology Society, Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, Sept. 1996

1) "Canalith Repositioning"
2) "The Irritable Labyrinth: Manifestations and Assessment"
8th Annual Interdisciplinary Seminar on Diagnostic and Rehabilitative Aspects of
Dizziness and Balance Disorders, Denver, CO; Dec, 1996

1) "BPPV and Canalith Repositioning"
2) "Overview: Treatment of Vertigo and Imbalance"
The Balance Center: A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Seminar Sponsored by Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, July 7-8 1997

1) "The Sound-evoked Destabilization Test: A Valuable Diagnostic Tool for Managing Chronic Imbalance"
2) "The Labyrinthine Anesthesia Test": 7th International Symposium and Workshops on Inner Ear Surgery and Medicine, March 21-28, 1998, Aspen, CO.

"BPPV and Canalith Repositioning"
Grand Rounds, Oregon Health Sciences University, Dept. of Otolaryngology, Portland, OR,
April 13, 1998.

"Principles of Density Repositioning in the Labyrinth"
NEC-99 XXVI Congress of the Neurotological and Equilibriometric Society, Anaheim, CA,
July 1999.

"Ideal Management of BPPV and Variants", 4th Aichi Otolaryngology Forum, Aichi Medical University, Nagoya, Japan, February 26, 2000.

"Ideal Management of BPPV and Variants", Toyama Medical University, Toyama, Japan, February 28, 2000.

"Ideal Management of BPPV and Variants", Tokyo Medical College, Tokyo, Japan, March 2000.

"Management of BPPV and Variants", Norwegian ORL Society, Oslo, Norway, November 4, 2000.

"Intratympanic tests for tinnitus", International Tinnitus Forum, Washington, D.C., September, 2000.

"Human Experience with Canalith Repositioning Procedures", Conference on the Vestibular Labyrinth in Health and Disease, Washington, University, St. Louis, MO, November 17, 2000.

COURSE PRESENTATIONS

"Hearing Protection"
Instruction Course: Oregon State University; January, l977.

"Air-Caloric Testing"
Presented in ENG Instruction Course, Oregon State University; March, l979.

"Positional Vertigo: New Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment"
Instruction Course (Hughes DW: Co-instructor),
American Academy of Otolaryngology - HNS; l980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985.

"Inner Ear Surgery" Temporal Bone Dissection Course (Instructor)
Colorado Otologic Research Center, Denver, CO; February, l983.

"Positional Vertigo: New Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment"
Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology - HNS; 1986.

"Otologic Applications of Electroacoustics"
Instruction Course (Lilly D: Co-instructor), American Academy of Otolaryngology -
Head and Neck Surgery; l986, l987, l988, l989.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: New Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment"
Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery;
l988, 1989, 1990, 1991.

"Vertigo: A Structured Approach to Management Strategy"
Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 1989.

"Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo"
Co-instructor with Hain TC: Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; l993, 1994.

"Canalith Repositioning"
Co-instructor with John C. Li: Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; San Diego, l995.

"Canalith Repositioning: Advanced Course"
Co-instructor with John C. Li: 1-Hr Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology -
Head and Neck Surgery; Washington, DC, l996.

"Canalith Repositioning: Advanced Course"
Co-instructor with John C. Li: 2-Hr Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology -
Head and Neck Surgery; San Francisco, l997.

"Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Vestibular System" Instruction Lecture,
Department of Audiology, Portland State University, August, 1999.

"Canalith Repositioning: From Beginner to Advanced"
Co-instructor with John C. Li: 2-Hr Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology -
Head and Neck Surgery; New Orleans, LA, September, 1999.

"Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Vestibular System" Instruction Lecture,
Department of Audiology, Portland State University, August, 2000.

"Canalith Repositioning: From Beginner to Advanced"
Co-instructor with John C. Li: 2-Hr Instruction Course, American Academy of Otolaryngology -
Head and Neck Surgery; Washington, D.C., September, 2000.

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