- Primary CareDr. Opperman says if you are hoarse more than two weeks, you should get that checked out. You can start with your primary care physician. If they aren't able to treat it, see an ENT specialist.
- Ear Infections
- Computed TomographyDidn't know what I was getting into. Recently got insurance and my "sucking at breathing" was becoming more and more exposed as I got into my 30s. Dr. Opperman knew right away I had a pretty bad deviated septum. CT-scan confirmed what his experience already told him and I just had my surgery today. I can already tell the difference it made in my breathing, but of
- ChemotherapyWorking in Jefferson Medical College, under the direction of Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., conducted research on chemotherapy's effects on the voice, which resulted in the manuscript: Opperman, David A., Solimando, Jr., Dominic A., M.A. Pharm. D.; Sataloff, Robert T., M.D.; D.M.A.; "Cancer Chemotherapy: An Overview and Voice Implications." National Association of Teachers of Singing, Journal of Singing, Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 57-60. 1999.
- General Surgery
- Robotic SurgeryTransoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a procedure to remove oral cancers in which a surgeon uses a sophisticated, computer-enhanced system to guide the surgical tools using an enhanced view of the cancer and surrounding tissue. Using a robotic system to guide the surgical tools allows for more-precise movements in tiny spaces and the capability to work around corners.
- OtolaryngologyDr. Opperman received a Fellowship in Laryngology and Disorders of the Voice at UCLA in Los Angeles where he studied under the direction of Gerald Berke, M.D. and performed research in laryngology, neurolaryngology and care of the professional voice. He trained under George L. Adams at the University of Minnesota where he received his Master of Science in otolaryngology and received his Doctor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.
- Reconstructive Surgery
- BotoxTreatment sometimes includes the use of Botox injections into the larynx muscles, greatly reducing the effect of spasmodic dysphonia in many cases.
- Eczema
- Fungus
- PsoriasisAfter much experimentation with eardrops, creams, and hypotheses, two excellent doctors, Dr. Buzz Reifman and Dr. David Opperman, persuaded me to visit their clinic in Denver, specializing in the Care of the Professional Voice, but also a musician's ear, nose, and throat problems. Both ears were badly infected, aggravated by wearing the in-ear monitors onstage, and perhaps by wearing earplugs on the motorcycle, too much heat and moisture create a rainforest environment for bacteria, fungus, eczema, and psoriasis. The doctors prescribed a heavy regimen of three different antibiotics, and recommended that I switch to headphones (and no earplugs on the bike, but its Cee Bailey windscreen is pretty quiet). Within a few days, they had given me back two reasonably healthy ears. Never again will I take for granted simply hearing what I'm playing, what the other guys are playing, and in everyday life what people are saying to me.