Otolaryngology is the medical specialty that deals with disorders and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region, and related areas of the head and neck. If you have a problem that is related to your ear, nose, or throat, you may need to see an ENT specialist, who is also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an otolaryngologist.

What Does an ENT Specialist Do?

In addition to graduating from medical school (usually four years), a board certified ENT specialist has completed at least five years of specialty training and passed a certification examination for the American Board of Otolaryngology. ENT specialists are experts in both the medical and surgical management of the following:

Conditions of the ear. You may need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor if you have an ear disorder or condition, such as a hearing impairment, ear infections, disorders that affect balance, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or pain in your ear. ENT specialists can also treat congenital disorders of the ear (disorders you were born with).
Conditions of the nose. ENT specialists often manage and treat problems that affect the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. These problems can affect smell, breathing, and physical appearance.
Conditions of the throat. Disorders and conditions that affect the throat can affect speech, singing, eating, swallowing, and digestion. ENT specialists can diagnose, manage, and treat these problems.
ENT-related conditions of the head and neck. ENT specialists are trained to manage diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, neck, and face. ENT specialists can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in these areas. They can also manage problems with the nerves in the head and neck that control sight, smelling, hearing, and facial movements.

Many ENT specialists have also completed an additional one to two years of extensive training in one of the following subspecialty areas of otolaryngology:

Pediatric otolaryngology (specializing in ENT problems in children)
Otology/neurotology/audiology (specializing in ears, balance, and tinnitus)
Allergy
Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
Head and neck surgery (specializing in tumors of the head and neck)
Laryngology (specializing in the throat, voice, and swallowing)
Rhinology (specializing in the nose and sinus cavity)

Some otolaryngologists also have sub-certifications in sleep medicine.

Who Needs to See an ENT Specialist?

Among the conditions that are commonly treated by an ear, nose, and throat doctor are:

Injury to your ears, nose, or throat
Nerve problems in your ears, nose, or throat
Balance problems
Dizziness
Hearing impairment
Ear infection
Tonsil or adenoid infection
Swimmer's ear
Pain in your ears, nose, or throat
Tinnitus
Ear, nose, or throat birth defects
Breathing problems
Down's syndrome
Asthma
Allergy
Sinus problem
Growth or tumor in your ears, nose, or throat
Deviated septum
Undesired appearance of the nose or face
Cleft palate
Drooping of the eyelids
Hair loss
Nose bleeds
Nasal congestion
Problems with smell
Voice or swallowing problems
Sore throat
Hoarseness
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

If you are dealing with one of these conditions or another problem that affects your ears, nose, throat, or a related area, ask your primary care doctor if an ENT specialist may be able to help.

When to See an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist