Appointments: (919) 876-4327
Carolina Ear & Hearing Clinic
Welcome to Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic in Raleigh, NC. We are a privately owned medical and surgical practice that specializes in the diseases of the ear in adults and children.
In 1993, Dr. John T. McElveen, Jr. left his position as director of Otology & Neurotology at Duke University Medical Center to establish a “state of the art” private practice (The Carolina Ear & Hearing Clinic) and non-profit research institute (The Carolina Ear Research Institute). The clinic focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of ear, hearing, balance and facial nerve disorders.
Dr. McElveen and his staff provide high-quality, personalized medical and surgical care for adult and pediatric patients suffering from a variety of ear-related disorders including: chronic ear disease, otosclerosis, skull base tumors, tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, facial paralysis and nerve type hearing loss.
John T. McElveen, Jr. MD
Otologist / Neurotologist
John T. McElveen, Jr. MD
Otologist / Neurotologist
Dr. McElveen, a graduate of Davidson College, received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. His ENT residency was performed at Stanford University Medical Center and his sub-specialty otology/neurotology fellowship was completed at the renowned House Ear Clinic where he was trained by Dr. William F. House, the father of neurotology and skull-based surgery. After becoming an Associate of the House Ear Clinic, Dr. McElveen was recruited by Duke University Medical Center in 1987 to head up their Otology/Neurotology program. Six years later, in 1993, he founded the Carolina Ear & Hearing Clinic and the Carolina Ear Research Institute in Raleigh, NC.
Dr. McElveen is board certified in Otology, Neurotology and Otolaryngology. He is a member of the Royal Society of Medicine, the American Neurotology Society, the Triological Society, the American Otological Society, the Otosclerosis Study Group, as well as other local, national, and international medical organizations. Dr. McElveen is well published and recognized internationally for his teaching abilities. He has over 50 publications and has contributed articles and chapters in over 11 textbooks. He trains Otolaryngologists in otologic surgery in both the U.S. and Europe. He continues to dedicate himself to scientific research, resident education and to providing the best hearing healthcare possible for his patients
Benjamin Johnson, MD
Otolaryngology
Benjamin Johnson, MD
Otolaryngology
Dr. Ben Johnson attended Stanford University, receiving his
bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering while becoming a two-time All-American Track athlete. After graduation he worked in the semiconductor industry at Sandia National Laboratories in his hometown of Albuquerque before deciding to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Johnson earned his Medical Degree from the University of New Mexico where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
He completed his internship and residency in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland, an affiliateof Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine. During residency he received the CRWU School of Medicine's Humanism and Excellence in teaching award. He completed his fellowship training in Neurotology & Skull Base
Surgery at the University of North Carolina. He started his clinical practice at the Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic in 2025.
Dr. Johnson has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications
in the fields of cochlear implantation, endoscopic ear surgery, and surgical simulation. He was a grant recipient from the American Hearing and Research Foundation to study the effects of the antimalarial medication as a potential treatment for Usher Syndrome. He is a member of the American Academy of
Otolaryngology (AAO-HNS).
His clinical interests include cochlear implantation, middle
ear surgery, skull base surgery, balance disorders and endoscopic ear surgery. He and his wife Sarah live in Raleigh with their daughter. In his free time, he likes to run, read, and spend time with family.
Courtney B. Richards, AuD
Doctor of Audiology
Courtney B. Richards, AuD
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Courtney B. Richards completed her training in Audiology at the
University of Tennessee in 2007, where she earned her Doctor of
Audiology degree. Over the years she has gained clinical experience in ENT and private audiology practices before joining the Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic in early 2019.
Dr. Richards prides herself on patient centered care, believing there is more than one- size- fits- all approach to hearing health care. By taking the necessary time for each case and listening to the patient, she provides treatment options to best support each individual need and lifestyle. Dr. Richards specializes in vestibular testing and treatment, cochlear implants, bone anchored devices, hearing aids, and FM systems. Outside of Audiology, Dr. Richards enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters and taking trips to the beach.
Sydney Hill, AuD
Doctor of Audiology
Sydney Hill, AuD
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Sydney Hill was born in Northern Virginia and later moved to West Virginia with her mom, dad, and two brothers. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from West Virginia University in 2021 and later earned her Doctorate of Audiology degree from West Virginia School of Medicine in 2024. She completed her externship at Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic and later accepted a full time Audiology position at CEHC. Dr. Hill’s clinical interests include treatment and intervention for hearing loss of all types. She has experience with hearing aids, bone-conduction systems, and cochlear implants from all manufacturers and finds great fulfillment in building long-term relationships with her patients. She also specializes in vestibular and electrophysiological testing. She is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-A) with the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. In her spare time, Dr. Hill enjoys running and exploring the Triangle area.
Katherine Venable
PA-C
Katherine Venable
PA-C
Katherine Venable, PA-C joined Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic in July 2022. Her previous work experience is in internal medicine and urgent care.
Mrs. Venable grew up in Mississippi and relocated to North Carolina in 2019. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mississippi College before receiving her Master of Science in Medicine at the Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program in 2018. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She specializes in Otology for patients of all ages. She sees new patient referrals as well as performs preoperative and postoperative visits. She treats patients for vertigo, dizziness, ear pain, earwax removal, and more. Mrs. Venable works closely with Dr. McElveen to utilize a patient-centered, team approach to treatment.
Outside of work, Mrs. Venable enjoys biking and spending time with her husband and their beloved Boston Terrier, Apollo.
What We Do
Over two decades ago, Dr. John T. McElveen founded Carolina Ear & Hearing Clinic, PC, a private medical and surgical practice specializing in the diseases of the ear. As experts in Otology and Neurotology, our team focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving the ear, its related skull base structures, and specific areas of the central nervous system. Both are highly specialized areas, requiring at least five years of residency training, in addition to completion of medical school and Otology and Neurotology fellowship training.
We Expertise in the field of otology and neurotology requires extensive post
graduate training including medical school, internship/residency, and a neurotology fellowship period.
Our Mission
Each and every day, we fulfill our mission of providing world-renowned otological and audiological care. By helping each patient understand the full scope of their diagnoses and treatment options, we create an ideal experience that leaves them feeling understood and in good hands.
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