Otolaryngology (ENT) Frequently Asked Questions
What is an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor)
Anotolaryngologistis a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. They’re also known as an ENT doctor. Otolaryngologists are also surgeons, which means they perform operations to help people treat conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and more.
ENT doctors treat several different medical conditions, including:
- ear conditions, such asinfections,hearing impairment or loss, andbalance issues
- nose and nasal conditions, such asallergies, sinusitis, and obstructions
- throat conditions, such astonsilitis,difficulty swallowing, and voice issues
- sleep conditions, such assleep apneaand snoring
- noncancerous or cancerous tumors of the head and neck
The types of procedures an otolaryngologist performs can depend on their specialty. Typically, these specialists spend several years training in a subspecialty, including:
- allergies
- facial and reconstructive surgery
- head and neck
- laryngology
- otology
- pediatric ENT
Some of the procedures performed within these subspecialties include:
- diagnostic tests, imaging, blood work, and more
- facelifts and nose jobs
- sleep studies
- surgery to correct nasal obstructions or blockages
- tumor removal
There are many reasons you might want to visit an ENT specialist, including:
- balance issues
- cleft palate
- congenital disabilitiesof the ear, nose, or throat
- deviated septum
- dizziness
- drooping eyelids
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- ear infections
- hearing loss or impairment
- injury to the ear, nose, and throat
- nasal congestion
- nerve issues with your ear, nose, and throat
- problems with smell
- reconstruction of the nose or face
You can ask your primary care physician to refer you to an ENT specialist if you’re experiencing persistent or severe pain or discomfort of the ear, nose, and throat.