Associations
- President, American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Member, American Neurotology Society
- Member, American Otological Society
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Medical Degrees
Program: MD
Institution: University of Washington School of Medicine
Program: Residency in Otolaryngology
Institution: Baylor College of Medicine
Program: Fellowship in Neurotology
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Program: Board Certified
Institution: American Board of Otolaryngology
Program: Subspecialty Certificate in Neurotology
Institution: American Board of Otolaryngology
Douglas D. Backous, MD, is a board-certified neurotologist specializing in treating conditions of the ear, lateral skull base and brainstem. He earned a biology degree at Seattle Pacific University before graduating from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1989. He and his wife moved to Houston, Texas, where he completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology -head and neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. In 1995, Dr. Backous moved to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, for a research fellowship in vestibular/oculomotor neurophysiology, followed by a clinical fellowship in Neurotology. Fully trained and motivated to give back to the Northwest, he and his family moved home in 1997 to build his career closer to family and pursue his personal mission statement to use his talents and skills to improve the quality of life for people from diverse backgrounds. He treats adults and children.
For more than 25 years, Dr. Backous has provided leading-edge treatments for patients with hearing loss, deafness, chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma, acoustic neuromas and facial nerve disorders. His professional passion is ensuring access to care for patients who choose to hear with cochlear implants, brainstem implants, bone-conducting devices and other hearing devices. His research focuses on implantable hearing device program efficiency for improved patient access and program viability.
Dr. Backous is the regional leader in treating acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, glomus tumors, malignant tumors and diseases involving the cranial nerves. Working with neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, neurologists and nursing staff at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle, Washington, since 2010, he has established an experienced and highly skilled team to offer truly world-class care for patients from our region and Canada. He has been voted as a Castle Connolly National Best Doctor by his peers in neurotology since 2010 and a Top Doctor by Findatopdoc.com. He maintains an active national and international reputation for medical and surgical excellence.
Working with his partner Greg Davis, MD, he co-directs the Seattle Otology and Rhinology Course (SOAR) at the Seattle Science Foundation. This program is designed to provide continuing, hands-on, clinically relevant education for practicing ENT doctors to improve their skills and stay up to date on innovations in otolaryngology. He is also the Program Director for the Seattle Advanced Otology Fellowship at Ear Nose Throat & Allergy Associates (ENTAA), where he provides a 12-month program in advanced medical and surgical training for fellows who have completed their ENT residencies. Ten fellows from the United States and three from abroad have completed the program. Dr. Backous is a Clinical Professor at the Washington State University
Dr. Backous is currently the President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. In addition to working to be part of building the foundations for the future of his specialty, he capitalizes on the AAO-HNS/F platform to do legislative and regulatory advocacy for patient access at a state and national level. His interest in higher education started with serving on the Board at Seattle Pacific University from 2011-18, the last four years as Chair. Currently, his focus is on facilitating opportunities for under-represented students to engage in STEM curricula and gain exposure to careers in healthcare.
Dr. Backous joined Proliance Surgeons in 2017 and is a partner at ENTAA in Puyallup, Washington. He performs surgery at the Hillside Surgery Center and the Swedish Cherry Hill campus. He also maintains a clinical presence in the Seattle area to provide local access to high-level surgical and specialty care closer to where his patients live and work. Dr. Backous and his wife have three adult children. He enjoys Nordic and waterskiing, golf and is a passionate fly fisherman.