Over the past 35 years, Dr. Jahn has been regularly involved in providing medical care in Southeast Asia. As an invited volunteer surgeon, he has worked with the Mobile Ear Surgery Unit of the Thai Rural Ear, Nose and Throat Foundation to remote areas in Thailand, as well as hospitals in Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia.

Chronic ear disease (mastoiditis, chronic otitis media, cholesteatoma) is rampant in these underserviced parts of the world. In collaboration with Dr. Salyaveth Lekagul (founder of the Thai Rural Ear Nose and Thorat Foundation) and other ear surgeons from Bangkok, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom, Dr. Jahn has worked both as a teacher and surgeon, taking care of patients and demonstrating surgery to local doctors. A documentary film on Dr. Lekagul's life saving work can be viewed here:

Breaking The Sound Barrier

Among the highlights of Dr. Jahn’s clinical activities in Southeast Asia was the first surgical workshop in Thailand on Stapes Surgery in 1999. This course, which included lectures and live surgery on patients, took place at the Royal Air Force Hospital in Bangkok, and at the Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai. In 2005, Dr. Jahn and colleagues participated in a course of lectures, ear dissections and live surgery at the National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar (see picture below). In February 2009, Dr. Jahn spent time in Northeast Thailand on the Laotian border, working with Thai colleagues and young ENT residents from Bangkok.

In November 2011 Dr. Jahn joined a group of Asian ear,nose and throat doctors who were invited to provide medical services in Central Bhutan (photos below). Chronic ear and sinus disease are common in this part of the world, and there is a great need for medical and surgical treatment.

Dr Jahn continues to teach internationally on ear disease and voice disorders. Recent invitations have included lectures in Florence(Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Bogotá(Colombia),and Bangkok(Thailand).