Dr. Ilka C. Naumann, MD, PhD, FACS, FAAOA is a double board-certified Otologist and Neuro-Otologist with more than two decades of clinical and academic experience. She serves as Associate Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and has held academic appointments at major tertiary care centers, where she is actively involved in the education and mentorship of medical students, residents, and fellows. With her Germanic analytical mind and a deep connection to nature Dr Naumann was drawn to medicine since her early childhood. Seeking a deep foundation she completed her general medical training at Humboldt University in Berlin and graduated Magna cum Laude with a medical thesis in human genetics. 

Dr. Naumann completed her residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, followed by advanced fellowship training in Neuro-Otology. She is particularly recognized for her expertise in integrating microsurgical techniques with a systems-based understanding of disease.

A distinguishing feature of Dr. Naumann’s work is her commitment to a holistic and individualized approach to patient care. Drawing on additional training in integrative medicine, she emphasizes the interplay between systemic health, environmental factors, and otologic disease. Her clinical philosophy prioritizes patient engagement, preventative strategies, and a “food-first” approach when appropriate, with the goal of minimizing unnecessary surgical interventions and long-term pharmacotherapy.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Naumann has made significant scholarly contributions. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has presented her research at well over 100 national and international scientific meetings. Her academic interests include the pathophysiology of chronic ear disease, the relationship between systemic conditions and auditory/vestibular dysfunction, and advancements in surgical management of ear disorders.

Dr. Naumann is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of multiple professional organizations. Through her clinical practice, academic leadership, and scholarly work, she continues to contribute to advancing the understanding and treatment of complex ear diseases while fostering the next generation of otolaryngologists.