What is an ENT doctor?

Ears

Loss of hearing affects one in ten of us. The treatment of ear conditions is a special area of medicine, dealt with by ENT doctors. This type of doctor will usually have been trained in both general medicine and surgery, having specialised in hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, tinnitus (an abnormal perception of sounds) and nerve pain, as well as nervous disorders of the face and the skull. ENT doctors also take care of congenital disorders of the outer ear and the middle ear.

Nose

Every year, the treatment of chronic sinusitis is one of the most common reasons people visit ENT doctors. The nasal cavities and the sinuses are among the main areas of expertise of the ENT doctor. Treating the nasal area includes the management of allergies and smell disorders. ENT doctors are also specialised in issues relating to breathing through the nose and the aesthetic appearance of the nose.

Throat

This area of our bodies is vital to communication (such as speaking and singing) and to the consumption of food. The ENT doctor is also skilled in managing conditions of the larynx (the voicebox), and of the upper part of the digestive system, the esophagus, including disorders of the voice or swallowing problems.

Head and Neck

This essential area of the body contains the important nerves that control our sight, smell and hearing, and also our face. ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, benign and malignant tumors of this area, and facial trauma and deformities. They also perform reconstructive plastic surgery, such as aesthetic plastic surgery.