“What is an ENT specialist? What comes to your mind when you hear of them? What do they do?“
Does this seem like a medical mystery to you? Doctors, specialists, and even surgeons who examine body areas that are around your head region are also known as ENT specialists. ENT is referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat and these doctors have received specialized training in diagnosing and treating diseases of specific body parts.
Who exactly are they and what do they do?
In other terms, an ENT specialist is also known as an Otorhinolaryngologist or Otolaryngologist. Oto means ear where they treat both internal and external areas. Rhino refers to the nose that includes nose sinuses and larynx is laryngology or simply put, your throat where the vocal cords are. ENT specialists are not limited to one area of the head and neck and can treat a wide range of diseases.
They handle complex chronic conditions and other minor to major problems that may require surgery in the ears, nose, and throat area. Many ENT doctors have additionally undergone an extra one to two years of intensive training in various otolaryngology subspecialties. ENT doctors do minimally invasive surgical procedures starting with the treatment of the ear, nasal and throat region.
Ear specialist:
- Hearing loss Singapore
- Wax blockage
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Recurring ear infections for adults and children
Nose specialist:
- Nasal obstructions
- Septal deviations
- Nasal valve collapse
- Sinus problems
Throat specialist:
- Thyroid problems
- Neck masses
- Chronic tonsillitis
Their field of specialty can go as far down to the esophagus inlet, thus covering a wide range of medical problems in the head and neck area. The most common tools they use to check on a patient are an otoscope to look into the patient’s ears, a microscope to get a more in-depth look into the ears, an endoscopic camera that is inserted which goes up to the nose to get a closer view at the nasal cavity.
Some of the common symptoms may include the following:
| Sleep disturbance | Snoring and sleep apnea due to blockage in the head and neck region. |
| Tinnitus | Long ringing or experiencing pain in the ear region. |
| Vertigo | Easily feel dizzy and unable to balance well. |
| Sinus | Blockages in airways result in difficulty inhaling oxygen and other chronic breathing problems. |
Patients go to an ENT specialist for advice or medical treatment and if surgery is required, the doctors will talk them through the procedures.
Cleft palates, drooping eyelids, hair loss, ear deformities, facial paralysis, trauma reconstruction, head and neck cancer, and plastic surgery of the face are all treated by ENT specialists in facial plastic surgery.
How can you tell if you are required to visit an ENT specialist?
Conditions that are mild such as a temporary sore throat can often be treated at home. However, some symptoms may necessitate further assessment by an ENT specialist.
Diseases, tumors, injuries, and abnormalities of the head, neck, and face including cancers are treated by ENT specialists.
In these regions, ENT doctors can conduct facial plastic surgery apart from dealing with the head and neck area. They can help with issues around the nerves that regulate sight, smell, hearing, and facial motions in the head and neck.
If you have an injury to your ears, nose, or throat, you should seek medical attention immediately. Call your ear specialists straightaway! Here are the following symptoms that are most commonly found in patients:
| Problems with the nerves in your ears, nose, or throat | Congestion in the nose or bleeding nose |
| Problems with balance | Hair loss is a common problem |
| Dizziness | Deviated septum |
| Deficiency in hearing | Abnormal growth or tumor in the ears, nose, or throat. |
| Infection in the ear or tonsils | Sinus and asthma |
| Having difficulty speaking or swallowing | Problems with smell |
What will happen on your first visit?
Not to worry, ENT specialists are trained just like any other clinic consultations where you might receive medical and surgical care. You will be required to fill in a patient registration form as standard procedure and it would be applicable if you have a referral letter as well.
An ENT doctor will, first of all, get the details of history by asking you questions such as the problems that you are having to really understand your background. Depending on your situation, they may conduct different tests to better evaluate your situation.
Afterward, they will do a comprehensive examination from your neck and upwards using an otoscope with an appropriately sized speculum to look into your ear. Even if you are not having any ear problems, they will still conduct a check.
Moving on to the nose area, using a little speculum to spread your nostrils, the ENT nose specialist will examine the overall nose. Then finally your throat area which can go deep down to the tongue, tonsils, and the back of your throat for further examination. The ENT specialist will then press your neck to feel for any large lift nodes, abnormal growth, and masses.
How much does it cost to visit an ENT specialist?
Consultation fees may range from $30 to $100above per session in both public and private sectors and subsequently may increase and surgeries can cost up to more than $2000 depending on a case by case basis. Medisave can be used at certain clinics to claim your subsidies after consultation or surgery.
Overall, ENT specialists Singapore will guide you through each step on the way and what else to expect in the future. Visiting an ENT specialist (ear, nose or throat specialists) might be uncomfortable during the examinations but eventually, it will definitely benefit you in the long run with your sight, smell and taste despite the fees. They are mysterious doctors who treat a wide range of conditions and if you noticed, many of the patients who visit the hospitals or clinics would usually have a stuffy nose or sore throat.
