Matthew Carlson MD

Dr. Matthew L. Carlson is a board-certified otolaryngologist, neurotologist, and skull base surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he serves as Professor of Otolaryngology and Professor of Neurosurgery. He is Chair of the Division of Otology within the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and holds joint appointments in Neurosurgery, Clinical Anatomy, and Pediatrics. His clinical expertise encompasses the diagnosis and surgical management of complex disorders of the ear, temporal bone, and lateral skull base, including vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma), cochlear implantation, otosclerosis, chronic ear disease, glomus tumors, and NF2-related schwannomatosis.

Dr. Carlson earned his Bachelor of Science from Bethel University and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed his internship and residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic, followed by advanced fellowship training in Otology, Neurotology, and Skull Base Surgery at Vanderbilt University. He is board certified in both Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Neurotology by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. In 2025, he also completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) through the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

An internationally recognized clinician-scientist, Dr. Carlson's research focuses on cochlear implantation, hearing preservation, vestibular schwannoma, skull base surgery, and patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes. His work has helped expand indications for cochlear implantation, including treatment for patients with single-sided deafness and those with residual hearing. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, led numerous clinical investigations, and contributed to evidence-based guidelines that have advanced the care of patients with hearing loss and skull base tumors.

Dr. Carlson is an active leader in national and international otolaryngology organizations. He serves as Medical Director of Mayo Clinic's Cochlear Implant Program and Temporal Bone Laboratory and has held leadership roles with the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, the North American Skull Base Society, the American Neurotology Society, and the Acoustic Neuroma Association. His contributions to education, research, and patient care have earned numerous honors, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Distinguished Service Award, the Mayo Fellows Association Teacher of the Year Award, the George L. Adams Young Faculty Award, and multiple Mayo Clinic research and teaching recognitions.