Otolaryngologist: Your Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist

Any adult or child who is experiencing symptoms affecting the ears, nose, throat, head or neck should seek care from an otolaryngologist. This includes breathing and swallowing problems; hearing loss and speech difficulties; pain affecting the ear, nose or throat; and lumps or growths in the mouth or neck.

Otolaryngologists are trained in medicine and surgery and do not typically need to refer patients to other doctors when ear, nose, throat, head or neck surgery is needed.

Consider seeking care from an experienced otolaryngologist if you develop any of the following symptoms or conditions:

• Allergy symptoms including itchy eyes, nose and throat, with nasal congestion or discharge

• Displeasure with the appearance of your nose, ears or face

• Ear pain, pressure and popping; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; dizziness; or ear discharge

• Heartburn, acid reflux, and nausea

• Lump or bump in the neck, mouth, throat, nose or ears

• Snoring and poor sleep

• Sore throat, cough, hoarseness, drooling, difficulty swallowing, or bleeding from the mouth

• Stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, facial pain, loss of smell, and nosebleeds

An otolaryngologist treats conditions and diseases including:

• Ear conditions including ear infections, hearing loss, balance disorders, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the ear), benign (noncancerous) growths, and congenital disorders and deformities of the outer and inner ear

• Head and neck conditions including tumors of the parotid, thyroid and parathyroid glands; sialoadenitis (inflammation of the salivary gland); sleep apnea; and facial irregularities or deformities

• Nose conditions including sinusitis, deviated septum, nosebleeds, nasal polyps, and loss of smell

• Throat conditions including voice and swallowing disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tonsil and adenoid infections, and laryngeal cancer

An otolaryngologist can order or perform a wide variety of diagnostic and screening tests including:

• Biopsies including removal of tissue from the thyroid, salivary glands, and other areas of the head and neck

• General health tests including physical exam of the ear, nose, throat and neck; blood tests; bacteria cultures including group A Streptococcus; and allergy patch skin test

• Hearing and speech evaluations including audiography, auditory brainstem response (ABR), and electrocochleography (ECOG)

• Imaging tests including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans

• Scope tests including endoscopy (of the esophagus), otoscopy (of the ear), bronchoscopy (of the airways and lungs), and laryngoscopy (of the back of the throat and voice box)

• Sleep studies including polysomnogram (PSG)

Otolaryngologists order or perform various procedures and treatments to manage ear, nose, throat, and head and neck conditions. Otolaryngologists are trained in both medical and surgical treatments. Common procedures and treatments include:

• Airway procedures including bronchoscopy and tracheotomy

• Allergy treatments including education, medication, and immunotherapy (allergy shots)

• Cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery

• Cosmetic surgery including rhinoplasty (“nose job”), otoplasty (pinning the ears back), and surgical reconstruction

• Ear surgery including cochlear implants, myringotomy (tiny incisions in the eardrum to relieve pressure, also called ear tube surgery), and tympanoplasty (reconstruction of the eardrum and middle ear)

• Endocrine surgery including surgery of the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands

• Esophagus and pharynx treatments including esophageal resection, pharyngectomy, and GERD treatments including medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery

• Larynx (voice box) procedures including voice therapy, phonosurgery (surgery to correct voice or sound production), and laryngectomy (removal of the larynx)

• Nasal treatments including medication, balloon sinuplasty, and septoplasty (straightening of the nasal septum)

• Tongue and throat treatments including medication, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and surgery to correct sleep apnea and snoring

A doctor may practice otolaryngology without becoming board certified in the specialty. However, education, training, experience and certification are key elements in establishing a doctor’s level of competence. Board certification verifies that a doctor has completed residency training in the specialty and has passed competency examinations.

A board-certified otolaryngologist has earned certification in otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology or the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

A board-certified otolaryngologist has:

• Graduated from medical school or a college of osteopathic medicine, earning an MD or DO degree

• Completed specialized residency training in otolaryngology

• Passed a certification exam that validates the doctor’s specialized knowledge and skills in otolaryngology