Steven A Zuniga, MD

Dr. Steven Zuniga is a fellowship-trained and double board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose, & throat) and neurotology specialist with Shohet Ear Associates in Seal Beach, Newport Beach, and Irvine.

His clinical interests include hearing, balance, and facial paralysis disorders including the surgical and non-surgical management of lateral skull base tumors such as acoustic neuromas. 

He received his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and residency in otolaryngology-head & neck surgery at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.  He then completed his fellowship in otology & neurotology with a focus on lateral skill base surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School.  Dr. Zuniga is double board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Neurotology by the American Board of Otolaryngology. 

As a California native and local surfer, Dr. Zuniga has a special interest in the minimally invasive management of bony growths of the ear canal known as exostoses, commonly referred to as “Surfer’s Ear”. “I know how it feels to be unable to get in the water during a solid swell. Allowing my patients, and fellow surfers, the opportunity to recover quickly and return to the water sooner is one of my top priorities”, Dr. Zuniga expressed.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Zuniga is involved in several clinical research endeavors including an international collaboration to develop an implantable auditory nerve prosthesis. Dr. Zuniga is a member of numerous regional and national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, American Neurotology Society (ANS), American Medical Association (AMA), and the Orange County Society of Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Zuniga enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsay, and three children. His other interests include surfing, mountain biking, running, hiking, and soccer.

Areas of Interest

• Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery for acoustic neuroma
• Cochlear implants
• Minimally invasive ear and lateral skull base surgery
• Eustachian tube balloon dilation

Sub-specialties

• Hearing and balance disorders
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Facial paralysis
• Surgical and non-surgical management of lateral skull base tumors
• Acoustic neuromas
• Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD)
• CSF Leaks
• Cochlear implants in adults and children
• Exostoses, commonly referred to as “surfer’s ear”
• Endoscopic ear surgery
• Minimally invasive skull base surgery