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Who are ear, nose, and throat doctors?

Doctors who treat and manage conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat, and related bodily structures are known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. Otolaryngologists and ENT physicians are both terms for the same medical specialty. 

• Ears: Otolaryngologists are the only medical professionals who treat hearing disorders.
• Nose: Chronic sinusitis is the most common medical condition, affecting about 35 million U.S. adults annually. Nasal cavity management also includes the treatment of allergies and issues with the sense of smell.
• Throat: Otolaryngologists diagnose and treat laryngeal and upper esophageal diseases, including vocal difficulties and swallowing issues.
• Head and neck: Otolaryngologists can also treat conditions that affect the face, head, and neck, such as cancers, trauma, deformities, and infectious diseases.

Conditions treated by ENT doctors

Otolaryngology is a specialty that focuses on seven different fields. Some otolaryngologists pursue additional training in one of them to specialize in it, limiting their services to that field.

These consist of the following:

• Manage nose and sinus disorders.
• Treat or remove head and neck tumors, such as nose and throat.
• Manage allergies with medication, immunotherapy, or trigger avoidance.
• Perform facial, neck, or ear surgery for beauty, functional, or reconstructive reasons.
• Attend to ENT diseases in children, including congenital anomalies and developmental delays.
• Managing disorders of the throat
• Treat ear problems, including infections, tumors, and nerve pathway disorders affecting hearing and balance.

Education and training of an ENT doctor

ENT doctors need a bachelor's degree in science-based subjects. After that, they have to complete four years of medical school. The first two school years are spent in the classroom, where they gain various experiences and determine their areas of interest for their postgraduate work. Third—and fourth-year medical students study different specialties.

Aspiring ENTs must complete a 5-year residency after medical school and receive comprehensive otolaryngology instruction from more experienced doctors during this program. In addition, they must pass the test their state requires to obtain complete medical licenses.

Specialties of ENT doctors

Some otolaryngologists pursue an additional 1-2 years of specialized training in subspecialties, focusing on specific areas of care:

• Allergy: Allergy specialists address environmental allergies, such as reactions to pollen or pet dander, using medications or immunotherapy (a series of allergy shots). They can also help identify food allergies.
• Facial and reconstructive surgery: Surgeons perform cosmetic procedures like facelifts and rhinoplasty (nose jobs). They also assist patients who need reconstructive surgery due to congenital conditions or trauma-related disfigurement.
• Head and neck: This subspecialty deals with tumors in the nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), and upper esophagus. These specialists provide comprehensive care for both benign and malignant tumors.
• Laryngology: Laryngologists focus on disorders affecting the larynx, such as vocal cord paralysis and swallowing difficulties.
• Otology and neurotology: These specialists manage ear-related issues, including infections, hearing loss, balance disorders, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). They also address more complex conditions involving the inner ear and its link to the brain.
• Pediatric ENT: Pediatric ENTs are trained to treat ear, nose, and throat conditions in children using child-friendly tools and environments. They commonly address ear infections, tonsillitis, asthma, allergies, and congenital head and neck conditions. They also diagnose speech or language problems in children.
• Rhinology: Rhinologists specialize in the nose and sinuses, treating conditions such as sinusitis, nosebleeds, nasal obstructions, loss of smell, and abnormal nasal growths.
• Sleep medicine: Some ENTs focus on sleep-related breathing disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. They may conduct sleep studies to diagnose issues that affect breathing during sleep.

When should I see an ENT doctor?

You can consult an ENT if you face any of these problems:

• Hearing loss

As you age, hearing loss is common. However, sudden hearing issues may indicate a more serious issue. In either case, an otolaryngologist can diagnose the problem and assist you in getting the necessary treatments to improve your hearing. Your ENT may also refer you to an audiologist for a hearing aid fitting if needed.

• A lump in your neck

A persistent neck lump lasting longer than two weeks may indicate blood, thyroid, mouth, or throat cancer. Often, lymph nodes in your throat are the first place where cancers that start in these places spread.

Swollen lymph nodes, which may indicate a severe illness but frequently result from common ailments like strep throat or an ear infection, are not the same as lumps.

• Long-term (chronic) throat, ear, or sinus issues

Ear infections are a common reason parents take their children to the physician. ENTs may prescribe antibiotics to treat them, but they might also advise surgery if the infections recur. Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Again, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat it, but if it doesn't go away, they might advise removing the tonsils. 

Chronic sinusitis is a term for sinus issues that last longer than four months. ENTs can assist in identifying the root of the problem and treating it.

• A child who is a heavy snorer

Snoring is typical in adults but uncommon in children. Although it might not be a severe issue, it is best to inquire with your child's pediatrician whether they think it is necessary to see an ENT. It might be a symptom of bedwetting or sleep apnea, which can result in problems with the face's bones.

Tips to keep your ear, nose, and throat healthy

Here are the simple tips to keep your ears, nose, and throat healthy:

• Ear

Wear proper hearing protectors if you work in a loud sound environment or if your ears are exposed to loud sounds. It protects your eardrums from sudden exposure to loud sounds and prevents common hearing problems. 

Clean your ears regularly. You can seek the help of a physician to remove earwax. This will prevent ear infections, improve hearing, and keep your ears healthy. 

Get your allergies treated, protect yourself from contagious respiratory diseases, and stay away from cigarette smoke to avoid an ear infection.

• Nose

Flush your nose and sinuses regularly with lukewarm filtered water. It removes all the dust and pollen in the nasal cavity and prevents sinus infections and allergic reactions. If you experience chronic sinusitis or allergies, get a proper diagnosis and treatment from a qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor near you. 

If you have a terrible cold, use an over-the-counter nasal spray to open your nasal passages. Avoid traveling if you have a cold. If traveling is necessary, use a nasal spray and decongestant whenever the nose feels blocked. 

Avoid exposure to various allergens that cause allergies. Remove allergens like mold, dust, or pollen from your surroundings to prevent multiple allergies. If you are allergic to pet dander, avoid keeping a pet, as it will worsen the condition.

• Throat

Drink water regularly to avoid a dry throat. Water is helpful for the body and ensures that your vocal cords and throat are hydrated and in good health. Avoid smoking and alcohol, as they are unhealthy for the throat and cause various throat disorders. If you have problems swallowing food or speech, see an experienced ear, nose, or throat doctor. 

Viral or bacterial infections mainly cause a sore throat. Maintain good hygiene to prevent harmful germs from entering your body. Exercise daily to improve your immune system. Avoid prolonged exposure to polluted air or areas to prevent throat infections. Seek proper diagnosis and treatment if the sore throat doesn't heal in a few days.

Finding the right ENT in Maywood, Illinois

Are you trying to find an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you but need help figuring out where to start? Log in to Zocdoc to find the answer. With Zocdoc, you can quickly locate the top ENT specialists in Maywood, Illinois, who can meet your medical needs.

Firstly, you need to create a free Zocdoc account. Next, select your condition or specialty, the location, and the insurance policy. Based on your search criteria, a comprehensive list of doctors will appear. If you have insurance, type your provider's name in the search bar to view the top ENT specialists who take your policy. A health plan member can save money by selecting an in-network provider.

At Zocdoc, we value enduring, reliable patient-physician relationships. Our ENT specialists each have distinctive profiles. You can read about their educational background, board certifications, clinical specializations, areas of clinical interest, level of experience, and spoken languages. Thanks to our user ratings, updated and verified patient reviews, and ENT doctor profiles, you can choose wisely before seeing an ENT doctor. You can even conduct a region-specific search on Zocdoc to find a qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor near you. If you're specifically looking for a female or male ENT doctor in Maywood, Illinois, you can filter the search results by gender.

You can also schedule video appointments on Zocdoc. Look for a purple video icon on ENT doctors' profiles or use the filter to limit the available video appointments. Now, you can schedule appointments in real-time with an ear, nose, and throat doctor who takes your insurance. If you don't want to share your insurance information when booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you can indicate that you will pay out of pocket. Some providers require insurance details to confirm an appointment. If you prefer not to use insurance or don't have coverage, you can find another provider on Zocdoc who accepts out-of-pocket payments. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!

Statistics about the ENT in Illinois

According to a 2012 report from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), around 15% of American adults (about 37.5 million people) over the age of 18 report having some hearing issues.

For every 1,000 babies born in the United States, around 2 to 3 have one or both ears with measurable hearing loss. More than 90% of deaf babies have hearing parents.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) states that allergies can cause ENT issues like allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, affecting up to 50 million people in the U.S. The organization also noted that allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic illness among children in the United States and the fifth most prevalent chronic condition in the country. According to estimates, 1 in 6 Americans are impacted. Every year, between 800,000 and 2 million school days are missed in children due to allergic rhinitis and accompanying comorbidities.

As of May 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Illinois employed more than 570 audiologists, highlighting the state's significant workforce in this field. Additionally, Illinois ranked second nationwide with approximately 660 hearing aid specialists. Furthermore, the state is home to about 9,100 speech-language pathologists, showcasing its robust presence in speech and hearing professions.

In 2023, America's Health Rankings reported that approximately 9.5% of Illinois' population suffers from asthma, which is lower than the national average. The data indicates a notable difference between genders, with women experiencing asthma at a rate of around 11.5%, compared to men at approximately 7.5%.

When examining asthma prevalence by age, individuals between 18 and 44 displayed the highest incidence, reaching about 10.8%. This was followed by the 45 to 64 age group, which had nearly 9.2%, while those aged 65 and older experienced a lower rate of 7.5%. In terms of children, the statistics reveal that over 5.3% of the child population in Illinois had asthma from 2022 to 2023, which also falls below the national average of 6.6%.

As of the 2020-2021 period, the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission reported that over 47.7 million individuals in the United States were experiencing hearing loss. Within Illinois, approximately 1.8 million people were affected by hearing loss. Notably, Cook County, which includes Maywood, had the highest concentration, with more than 759,680 residents facing hearing challenges.

According to the National Cancer Institute's data from 2017 to 2021, the state of Illinois reported an esophageal cancer incidence rate of 4.9 cases per 100,000 individuals, surpassing the national average of 4.5. In terms of thyroid cancer, Illinois had an incidence rate of 12.9, which aligns with the national average. Focusing on Cook County, the incidence rate for esophageal cancer was recorded at 3.9, reflecting a decrease of 2.3 over the past five years. For thyroid cancer, Cook County had an incidence rate of approximately 11.1.

Sources

Mayo Clinic Health System

Healthline

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Medical News Today

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Verywell Health

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

America’s Health Rankings[1]

America’s Health Rankings[2]

America’s Health Rankings[3]

America’s Health Rankings[4]

Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission

National Cancer Institute[1]

National Cancer Institute[2]

National Cancer Institute[3]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.