David Bächinger

MD, PhD (Dr. med. Dr. sc. nat.) | Audiovestibular Medicine | Menière’s Disease | Ear Health in Musicians / Professional Ear Users

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

About

Clinician-scientist in hearing and balance disorders at University Hospital Zurich. My focus is Menière's disease, where I combine molecular, genetic, radiological, and clinical approaches to sub-classify patients and support personalized treatment. I further research and promote ear health in performing arts medicine, having coined the term Professional Ear Users for professionals who rely on above-average hearing in their work. I run specialized clinics for this group, collaborate with university music schools, and advise organizations including SwissMedMusica, Europiano, the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Musikkollegium Winterthur, and Orchestra della Svizzera italiana. I also led the development of the ZCMEI-21 (Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory), an internationally validated quality-of-life questionnaire for chronic middle ear disease, used in clinical research worldwide to capture the patient perspective and support quality of care (zcmei.surgery).

Experience

  • Universitätsspital Zürich (1 yr 8 mos)
    • Attending Physician (Oberarzt)
      Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Junior Attending Physician
      Mar 2025 - Sep 2025 · 7 mos

    • Resident Physician
      Dec 2024 - Feb 2025 · 3 mos

  • Resident Physician (Rotation Position) at Kantonsspital Graubünden
    Sep 2024 - Nov 2024 · 3 mos

  • Resident Physician at Universitätsspital Zürich
    Jul 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Resident Physician (Rotation Position) at Katholisches Klinikum Bochum
    Sep 2022 - May 2023 · 9 mos

  • Universitätsspital Zürich (Zurich, Switzerland)
    • Resident Physician
      Mar 2022 - Aug 2022 · 6 mos

    • Doctoral Student (MD, PhD)
      Nov 2016 - Feb 2022 · 5 yrs 4 mos

    • Resident Physician
      2017 - 2022 · 5 yrs