An ENT specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) is a doctor who specialises in diseases that affect the ears, nose and throat, as well as the head and neck.

Medical conditions treated by ENT specialists

Common examples of medical conditions that ENT specialists treat include:

Ear

• Deafness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness
• Ear infections
• Ear drum problems

Nose

• Polyps
• Cancer
• Sinusitis
• Bleeding

Throat

• Cancer
• Hoarse voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trapped foreign body

Head and neck

• Surgical conditions
• Tumours involving the structures of the neck

Procedures performed by ENT Specialists

Treatment provided by an ENT specialist may involve administration of medication, either tablets or in drop form.

Alternatively operative treatment may be required. There are numerous different ENT procedures that an ENT surgeon can perform, including:

• Operations on the ear, salivary glands, nose, larynx and throat
• Cosmetic operations

What to expect at your first visit with an ENT specialist

History

Your ENT specialist will ask about your symptoms, their duration and any associated medical problems.

Examination

Your ENT specialist’s examination will vary according to your presentation. They will generally examine your ears, nose and throat but will then spend more time on the area of concern.

ENT specialist typically use fibreoptic equipment and examining microscopes to assist in their examination.

Specialty areas of interest

• Paediatric ENT
• ENT cancers

Associated tests

• Hearing tests (audiometry)
• Fibreoptic^† laryngoscopy
• CT scans
• MRI

Training and qualifications

• Basic medical training
• Internship
• Residency
• Specialty Training

Also known as

• Otorhinolaryngologist
• ENT surgeon
• Head and neck surgeon
• ENT doctor
• Ear nose throat doctor

Links

• Find an ENT specialist
• ASOHNS – The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgey
• RACS – Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• ENTUK
• Wikipedia – Otorhinolaryngology

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.