Richard Irving is a consultant otolaryngologist - skull base surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital. Richard offers a general otolaryngology service as well as specialist expertise in otology, neurotology and base of skull surgery. His interests range from chronic ear disease, tinnitus and vertigo to bone anchored hearing aids, cochlear implantation and tumours of the skull base.

Richard was trained in otolaryngology in London and Cambridge. During training he was awarded a JLO fellowship to the Universitatspital in Zurich, and a TWJ fellowship to the Causse Ear Clinic in France. Richard was awarded the Intercollegiate gold medal for the best performance in that diet of the FRCS(ORL-HNS) examination. Following the completion of his higher surgical training, Richard was appointed Clinical Instructor in neurotology at the University of California in San Francisco.

During his training in Cambridge, Richard undertook pioneering research into the molecular genetics of vestibular schwannoma. His research work led to the award of an MD in 1996. For his research he was awarded the Xomed-Treace Prize (1994), and the Royal Society of Medicine short papers prize (1993). Research and development continues to take a central role in Richard's professional life although this has leaned more towards surgical innovation, exploring the applications of middle ear and brain-stem implants in auditory rehabilitation.

Richard has published widely on a variety of otologic and neurotologic subjects. He is heavily involved in postgraduate ENT teaching and since 1998 has been the designated trainer for specialist registrars in otolaryngology at the University Hospital.