Who is an ENT Specialist?
An otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the ears, nose, and throat. These specialists have the expertise to perform surgical procedures to address a range of issues affecting the delicate tissues of the ears, nose, throat, as well as the head and neck region.
The scope of their practice is quite broad and includes the treatment of various conditions such as chronic or fungal sinusitis, hearing loss, oropharyngeal cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea. In short, otolaryngologists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments that impact the head and neck region.
What does an ENT specialist treat?
ENT specialist will treat the conditions related to ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders:
Ear is one of the five sensory organs in the human body. An ENT specialist will treat conditions related to the ear that disrupts its normal functioning.
severe conditions:
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Dizziness or Vertigo
- Temporomandubular Joint disorders(TMJ)
- Otosclerosis
- Middle ear infections
- Perforated eardrum
Minor conditions:
- Ear pain
- Ear infection
- Pre auricular pits and sinus
- Ear lobule tear
Nasal surgical conditions include:
- Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS)
- Enlarged turbinates
- Tumours
- CSF leak repair
- Balloon sinuplasty
- Enlarged turbinates
- Snoring
Medical conditions like
- Nasal polyps
- Nose bleeding(Epistaxis)
- Sinusitis
- Postnasal drips
- Allergies
Severe conditions:
- Tumours
- Tonsils
- Adenoids
- Vocal cord disorders
- Sleep apnea
- Minor conditions:
- Sore throat
- Swallowing issues
- Hoarse voice
Head & Neck conditions like:
- Laryngocele
- Endoscopic DCR
- Salivary gland
- surgeries
- Headache
What are the common ENT problems that are treated by an ENT specialist?
The common ENT problems that are treated by ENT specialists are:
Chronic ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear are treated by an ENT specialist.
Hearing loss, infection, accumulated earwax, perforated eardrum, ear discharge, tinnitus are treated by ENT specialists. In some cases they rely on diagnostic tests like audiometry, tympanometry, and ear scan to provide the best treatment options.
Children with breathing difficulties such as nasal congestion, snoring, or sleep apnea may benefit from a consultation with a paediatric ENT specialist.
Children with speech delays or speech-related disorders can be evaluated by a paediatric ENT specialist to determine if there is an underlying medical issue affecting their speech.
Paediatric ENT specialists are trained to treat issues related to the tonsils and adenoids, such as frequent tonsillitis, enlarged tonsils, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Children born with abnormalities of the head and neck, such as cleft lip and palate, can be treated by a paediatric ENT specialist.
When should you visit an ENT specialist?
If you are experiencing any issues related to the ears, nose, throat, head, or neck, you should consult an ENT specialist for treatment. Before scheduling an appointment, make a list of your symptoms and concerns and discuss them with a qualified professional.
