Dick L. Hoistad, M.D., is a board-certified ENT physician and fellowship-trained neurotologist who has spent decades helping patients hear better, feel balanced, and get relief from complex ear conditions. At Surgical Associates Northwest, he’s known for curating personalized treatment plans built around each patient’s real life.
Dual Board Certifications
Dr. Hoistad holds two board certifications: one in otolaryngology (ENT) and another in neurotology, a subspecialty focused on disorders of the ear, hearing, balance, and related nerves. This advanced training enables him to care for patients with both common and highly complex ear conditions, including those affecting hearing, dizziness, and facial nerve function.
At Surgical Associates Northwest, our doctors believe experience matters. Dr. Hoistad’s focused expertise means patients benefit from a deep understanding of how the ear works and how different conditions can impact daily life.
Advanced ENT and Neurotology Training
Dr. Hoistad’s interest in ENT began during medical school and quickly turned into a lifelong focus on ear disorders. While training at the University of Minnesota, he conducted research in the Human Temporal Bone Laboratory under Dr. Michael Paparella, one of the most respected names in otolaryngology. This experience sparked his fascination with hearing and ear disease.
He completed his ENT residency at the University of Minnesota before pursuing advanced fellowship training in Neurotology at Northwestern University and the Ear Institute of Chicago under Dr. Richard J. Wiet, a master in the field of neurotology.
Patient-First Philosophy and Approach
Dr. Hoistad believes great care starts with listening. He takes time to understand each patient’s symptoms, concerns, and personal goals before recommending any treatment. Whether care is medical or surgical, he focuses on explaining the condition and available options in plain, easy-to-understand language so patients feel informed and confident in their decisions.
Many patients come to Surgical Associates Northwest after feeling rushed or unheard elsewhere. Dr. Hoistad works intentionally to change that experience. He actively listens and empathizes with his patients and curates plans that are individualized and realistic.
Focused Care for Hearing, Balance, and Ear Health
Dr. Hoistad focuses on the medical and surgical care of the ear, with particular expertise in conditions that affect hearing and balance. He commonly treats chronic ear infections, eardrum perforations, cholesteatoma, and otosclerosis, conditions that can disrupt how the ear’s tiny hearing bones move and interfere with sound transmission, often leading to hearing loss.
He also performs hearing reconstruction surgery, cochlear implant procedures, and osseointegrated hearing implants for patients with severe hearing loss or deafness. For patients experiencing dizziness or vertigo, including Meniere’s disease and other inner ear disorders, Dr. Hoistad provides a thorough diagnostic evaluation and offers advanced medical or surgical treatment options when appropriate, always tailoring care to the individual patient.
Advanced and Minimally Invasive Treatments
In addition to complex ear surgery, Dr. Hoistad is excited to offer newer, less invasive treatments when they are the right fit. One example is eustachian tube dilation (ETD/ETT), a non-surgical procedure that can help relieve chronic ear pressure and “plugged” sensations. Dr. Hoistad carefully evaluates whether patients are good candidates and takes time to explain expected benefits, limitations, and alternatives. Treatment decisions are always individualized.
Extending ENT Care Beyond The Clinic
Dr. Hoistad is a co-founder of the Moreano World Medical Mission, a nonprofit organization that has provided ENT medical and surgical care in Ecuador and other Latin American countries for more than 25 years. Through this, he has helped deliver care to underserved communities with limited access to specialty services, treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions.
This long-standing mission work has shaped his perspective as a physician and strengthened his commitment to compassionate, respectful care. Along the way, Dr. Hoistad became fluent in Spanish, allowing him to communicate clearly with Spanish-speaking patients and families, a skill many patients deeply appreciate and find reassuring.
Life Outside Medicine
Outside the clinic, Dr. Hoistad enjoys staying active through tennis, biking, and skiing, and appreciates the changing seasons of the Pacific Northwest. He values time with family and friends, and is currently learning to play the guitar.
