BOARD-CERTIFIED OTOLARYNGOLOGIST • PHYSICIAN EDUCATOR

Ear fullness. Sinus pressure. Migraine.
The symptoms can overlap.

The causes may not.

Ear, sinus, nasal and migraine-related symptoms can have different underlying causes. Dr. Hoffmann brings symptoms, objective findings, physiology and clinical patterns together to determine what is most likely contributing—and what to do next.

What are you experiencing?

Ear, facial, sinus, nasal, and migraine-related symptoms can overlap. Understanding the symptoms and how they occur can be an important first step toward identifying what may be contributing.

Ear Fullness & Pressure

Fullness, pressure, popping, muffled or fluctuating hearing, and fluctuating tinnitus can have several possible causes.

Facial, Sinus & Nasal Symptoms

Facial or “sinus” pressure, nasal congestion, rhinitis, post-nasal drainage, and recurring sinus symptoms can arise from sinus disease, allergy, migraine physiology, or overlapping factors.

Headache, Migraine & Overlapping Symptoms

Headache, head pressure, light or sound sensitivity, and other migraine-related symptoms can occur alongside ear, facial, sinus, and nasal symptoms.

Symptoms are only part of the story.

Similar symptoms can have different underlying causes. Understanding the whole picture helps determine what is most likely contributing and what the appropriate next step may be.

Symptoms

+

Objective Findings

+

Physiology

+

Clinical Patterns

→

Most Likely Cause

Symptoms give us information. Patterns give us context. Objective findings give us evidence.

Clinical care. Surgery. Research. Education.

Karen Hoffmann, MD is a fellowship-trained, board-certified otolaryngologist and surgeon whose work spans patient care, surgery, clinical research, physician education, and national and international speaking.

Her clinical and academic work focuses on understanding the physiology behind ear, nasal and sinus symptoms, advancing appropriate medical and surgical treatment, and translating emerging evidence into practical care.

20+ Years in Clinical Practice

Experience evaluating and treating a broad range of ENT conditions.

Clinical Research & Publications

Investigator and author contributing to research in ENT physiology, treatment and emerging clinical approaches.

Physician Education

National and international faculty teaching clinical decision-making and surgical techniques to other otolaryngologists.

Speaker & Thought Leader

Bringing physician-led perspectives to medical, professional and organizational audiences.

Health affects how we think, work and lead.

Health conditions such as migraine can affect concentration, cognitive stamina, communication, decision-making and performance—often in ways that aren’t obvious to colleagues or leaders.

Dr. Hoffmann brings a physician’s perspective to the intersection of health, performance and leadership, translating clinical science into practical insights for organizations and professional audiences.

Keynotes

Physician-led presentations that make complex health topics clear, relevant and actionable.

Workshops

Interactive sessions that move from awareness to practical understanding and application.

Consulting

Strategic collaboration around health, cognitive performance, workplace function and related initiatives.

Ready to take the next step?

Looking for an

ENT evaluation?

Explore clinical evaluation for persistent ear, sinus, nasal, and related symptoms.

Looking for a speaker or

corporate partner?

Explore keynotes, workshops, and consulting for organizations and professional audiences.

© 2026 Karen Hoffmann, MD. All rights reserved.