Walter Kutz, MD $$

Walter Kutz, M.D., is an otologist who specializes in treating infants and children facing diseases impacting the ear, skull base and temporal bone such as chronic ear disease, cholesteatoma, hearing loss, and skull base tumors. Through advanced surgical techniques, he helps to improve a child’s ability to hear.

With new electrode design and surgical techniques, we’re able to preserve some residual hearing in a significant number of patients.

Dr. Kutz is one of only a few surgeons in Texas who performs auditory stem implant surgery, a treatment for neurofibromatosis type 2. During the complex procedure, Dr. Kutz works with colleagues in neurosurgery to place an implant into the brainstem to restore hearing. Without the implant, a patient would have complete deafness. 

He also performs cochlear implant surgery to treat severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Dr. Kutz considers this surgery to be one of the most rewarding procedures he performs.

“I treat a number of infants, children and adolescents who can’t hear – and often won’t be able to hear – unless they receive a cochlear implant,” says Dr. Kutz. “Not all children with severe to profound hearing loss will be a candidate for cochlear implants, but we work with each family to understand a child’s needs and a family’s communication preferences. It’s exciting to see children one or two years after cochlear implantation talking when you know this would not be possible without this technology.”

Dr. Kutz is involved in multiple clinical research projects to improve hearing in both adults and children. He researches how to improve outcomes for patients with cochlear implants, acoustic neuroma, and implantable hearing devices.

“We’ve expanded the conditions with which we can treat with cochlear implants,” says Dr. Kutz. “With new electrode design and surgical techniques, we’re able to preserve some residual hearing in a significant number of patients. At UT Southwestern, we participate in clinical trials regarding hearing preservation with cochlear implants.”

As an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern, Dr. Kutz trains the next generation of ENT surgeons. He serves as the Director of the Neurotology Fellowship Program and Associate Residency Director of the Otolaryngology Residency Program.

Dr. Kutz is frequently asked to share his clinical and surgical expertise at both national and international meetings.

In his free time, Dr. Kutz enjoys playing and listening to classical music.