Dr. Kimberly Mae Ong Nelson, MD, MSc is a Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Director at the Philippine National Ear Institute (PNEI), University of the Philippines – National Institutes of Health. With training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Clinical Epidemiology, her research centers on adult hearing health, with a particular focus on vulnerable and underserved Filipino populations, including older adults, occupational groups exposed to noise and patients exposed to ototoxic medication. She is currently one of lead investigators of the I Hear Me project, which explores the impact of hearing loss on mental and cognitive health among older Filipinos.

Nelson, Kimberly Mae O.

Philippine National Ear Institute 
Email Address
kcong1@up.edu.ph
Research Areas
  • Ear and Hearing Health
  • Occupational Hearing Loss
  • Newborn Hearing Screening
  • General Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Relevant Publications
  1. Carrillo RJD, Salcedo AS, Ong, KMC, et al. Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Hearing Disorders. (2026). Acta Medica Philippina, 60(10). https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v60i10.12730
  2. Dela Cruz, J. M., Kollin, K.., & Ong, K. M. (2026). Clinical Otologic Profile, Awareness, Knowledge, and Literacy on Hearing Health Among Employees of the Philippine General Hospital. Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 41(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v41i1.2619
  3. Dela Cruz APC, Ong, KMC, Villafuerte CVL, San Agustin MLM, and Reyes-Quintis, MRT. Hearing aid adoption among old adults diagnosed with presbycusis. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 7 [cited 2025 Dec. 1];. Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/13462 Ong KMC,
  4. Chiong CM, Reyes-Quintos MRT, Urgel RGV, Estrella EP, Sison OT and Baja ES. Accuracy of Single Question Hearing Screening in Detecting Hearing Loss among Traffic Workers: An Exploratory Study. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 22 [cited 2025 Oct. 23];. Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/13408
  5. Ong KMC, Chiong CM, Reyes-Quintos MRT, Urgel RGV, Estrella EP, Sison OT and Baja ES. (15 Mar 2024):Association between occupational noise exposure level and pure- tone audiometry abnormalities among Metropolitan Manila Development Authority employees: A cross-sectional study, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2315164
  6. Cruz TLG, Ong KMC, Rozul CDA and Chiong CMC (2023). The knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of seafarers in a shipping company on occupational hearing health. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. 2023 April 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2023.2201256
  7. King REC and Ong KMC. Antioxidants in the Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity: Systematic Review. PROSPERO Registration# CRD42021253266. Asian Journal of Oncology 2022 June 27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1748637
  8. Ong KMC and Cruz TLG. Otologic and vestibular symptoms in COVID-19: A scoping review. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2022 April 06; 8(4): 287-296 Doi:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wjo2.57