Children's Hearing & Ear Clinic (CHEC)

The Children's Hearing and Ear Clinic was developed to make new treatment technologies available to children with acute and chronic ear infections. The clinic is staffed by specialists in pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric otologic surgery, and pediatric audiology. All three specialists examine each child during the initial visit.

Research is also a primary focus. The center is home to the oldest National Institutes of Health Otitis Media Research Center, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the United States. A number of important discoveries have led to better understanding and treatment of otitis media.

Some recent developments include: improved indications for and types of medical and surgical treatment; the identification of silent otitis media and development of improved diagnostic instruments; development of the Juhn Tymp-Tap for middle ear fluid collection, and identification of biochemical markers for disease progression; and better protocols for the use of ototopical antibiotics and antiseptics, some of which have inner ear toxicity.

Microbiological and biochemical studies of otitis media with effusion have led to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug treatment trials. Center researchers are also testing vaccines that may ultimately prevent otitis media.

Medical Staff:

Frank Rimell, M.D., is assistant professor of Otolaryngology and director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology. His interest include pediatric airway problems, in which he has numerous clinical and research publications; pediatric sinusitis; and chronic middle ear disease. Dr. Rimell's clinical and research focus is on pediatric sinusitis and pediatric airway, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and national presentations in this area.

Hours

Wednesday Mornings

New Patients:

New patients can schedule appointments by calling the CHEC Clinic at (612) 625-7400 between 8:00am and 4:30pm M-F.  Returning patients please call (612) 626-5900 between 8:00am and 4:30pm M-F.

Directions:

The CHEC Clinic is located on the 8th floor of the Phillips-Wagensteen Building (PWB) on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus.

Parking can be found in either the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview ramp or at meters on Oak Street.

How to get there (University of Minnesota Medical Center ramp): 

• I-35W to University Avenue SE. East (away from downtown) on University Avenue SE to Oak Street SE. Right turn onto Oak Street SE. Go 2 = blocks (cross Washington Avenue). Right on Delaware Street SE. Go 1 block. Ramp entrance is on right.
• I-94 to Huron Blvd (exit 235B). Huron Blvd. To Fulton Street SE (first stoplight). Left on Fulton Street SE. Follow to Oak St SE (second stoplight). Right on Oak Street SE. Go 1 = blocks. Left on Delaware Street SE. Go 1 block. Ramp entrance is on right.
• Washington Avenue SE from U of MN West Bank to Harvard Street SE. Right on Harvard Street SE. Go 1 block. Left on Delaware Street SE. Ramp entrance is on left across from Centennial Hall.
• Clinic is located 1 block west of ramp entrance at 516 Delaware Street SE.