Colin L.W. DriscollView profile
Professor
Colin L.W. Driscoll, M.D., is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, serving as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. He holds joint appointments as Consultant in the Departments of Neurologic Surgery and Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Driscoll's research focuses on the preservation and restoration of hearing and optimal management of skull base tumors. His work includes investigating new surgical strategies to preserve hearing, developing a fully implanted cochlear implant (which received FDA 'breakthrough device' designation), and studying quality-of-life outcomes to help patients choose among different treatment options for benign skull base tumors. His research publications show consistent productivity with numerous articles in high-impact journals across otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and oncology. The research spans from basic anatomical studies to clinical outcomes research, with particular focus on vestibular schwannomas, cochlear implantation techniques, and skull base surgical approaches. Distinguished Alumni of the Year, Breck School (2021) Teacher of the Year, Department of Otolaryngology (2009, 2001) Excellence in Teaching awards from Mayo Clinic (2004, 2003) Cum Laude award from American Society of Neuroradiology (2006) Neurotology Fellows Scholarship Award (1998) Dr. Driscoll leads the Cochlear Implant Team at Mayo Clinic and works within a multidisciplinary skull base surgery team. His laboratory research focuses on intraoperative monitoring techniques to prevent hearing loss during cochlear implant surgery and developing improved implantable hearing devices. He has held significant leadership positions including President-Elect of the American Neurotology Society (2024-2025) and previously served as Board Chairman of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance (2016-2019).