David E. Tunkel, MD

Pediatric otolaryngologist David Tunkel specializes in the treatment of airway disorders in children, including obstructive sleep apnea, congenital or acquired abnormalities of the larynx and trachea, and infections of the upper airway, as well as common infections of the ears, nose and throat. He also treats children who need surgery for chronic otitis media, conductive hearing loss and cholesteatoma, and is nationally known for treating children with special needs, including those with cleft palate, Down syndrome, short-stature skeletal dysplasias and neuromotor diseases. 

A leader in developing evidence-based guidelines to provide optimal care for children with ear, nose and throat diseases, Dr. Tunkel has conducted research that showed the success of new methods of subtotal tonsillectomy in treating sleep-disordered breathing, with improved recovery for many children.

Dr. Tunkel earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he remained for residency training in otolaryngology. He completed fellowship training in pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and served as the director of pediatric otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins for 30 years.

He is chair of the Guideline Taskforce for the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and was the lead developer for guidelines on tinnitus and nosebleed management. In addition, he is an editorial board member for JAMA Otolaryngology. Dr. Tunkel has served as chair of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and was the chairperson of the otolaryngology section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been a board member for the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and has participated in clinical practice guideline development for major national organizations, recently serving on committees for acute otitis media and the use of tympanostomy tubes.

Dr. Tunkel has been recognized by Baltimore magazine as a “Top Doctor,” and has received various accolades, including honor awards from the Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.