Calhoun D. Cunningham III, MD
Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, Head and Neck Surgeon, Neurotologist, Otologist
My Locations
About Me
I became fascinated by the intricacies of the inner ear early in my medical education. I quickly realized the importance of hearing to everyday interaction, and the difficulties that hearing loss can impose. As an otologist and neurotologist, it is a privilege to serve people with ear diseases, hearing loss, and skull base disorders. I am passionate about providing medical and surgical care for hearing problems, including cochlear implant surgery in adults and children, as well as balance problems and complex skull base tumors to people of all ages. Developing a strong doctor-patient relationship based on trust and mutual respect is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I believe that being empathetic and a good listener are valuable parts of the healing process and ultimately lead to proper diagnosis and individualized treatment. It is also important that patients have a clear understanding of their condition and treatment options so they can make informed decisions. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons.
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Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
- Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Skull Base Surgery
- Chronic Ear Infections, Tympanoplasty and Cholesteatoma Surgery
- Otosclerosis and Stapedectomy
- Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Treatment
- Cochlear Implant Surgery
- Meniere's Disease
- Acoustic Neuroma
Ratings and Reviews
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
Surgery of skull base tumors, including acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas), meningiomas, facial nerve neuromas and glomus tumors. Adult and pediatric surgical and medical management of chronic ear infections, cholesteatomas and eardrum perforations; management of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss including cochlear implants, BAHA implants, and implantable hearing aids; stapedectomy surgery for otosclerosis; management of Bell’s palsy and facial nerve disorders; treatment of dizziness and balance disorders including Meniere's disease, and benign positional vertigo.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.