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What training does an ENT undergo?

Otolaryngology is a medical specialty centered on diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat disorders. It also encompasses audiology, speech-language pathology, allergy/immunology, and neurology. This field includes diagnosing diseases, deformities, abnormalities, and injuries affecting the ears, respiratory system, face, jaws, and other head and neck parts. Additionally, otolaryngology involves both medical and surgical treatments, as well as preventive care for these conditions.

Since otolaryngology is one of the most comprehensive specialties, otolaryngologists must also receive extensive training. After four years of college, they must complete around four years of medical school and another five to eight years of specialist training. The practitioner must pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination. Some go on to a one—or two-year fellowship to gain more experience in a specialism.

Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency programs must last at least five years. It includes at least nine months of fundamental training in surgical science followed by 51 months of advanced education within the specialty. A few sub-specialties include:

• Head and neck oncology 
• Pediatric otolaryngology 
• Neurotology/otology
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

When should you see an ENT doctor?

You may see an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you for various reasons, some of which are as follows:

• Sudden changes or loss of hearing
• A high-pitched wheezing sound when you breathe
• Persistent hoarseness in your throat for two weeks or more
• Ear or throat infections that do not get better within 3-4 weeks
• ENT conditions causing sleep disturbances (particularly sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing stops and resumes while you are asleep)
• Chronic infections of the ears, nose, or throat, such as sinus infection or strep throat
• Lumps, growths, or soft tissue infections in the face or neck that do not get better despite taking antibiotics

However, specific ENT symptoms might indicate a severe medical condition elsewhere in your body. If you experience any of the following, visit your nearest emergency room instead of seeing an ENT specialist:

• A face or neck abscess that is growing uncontrollably
• Dizziness accompanied by chest pain, seizures, or facial numbness.
• Difficulty breathing if you have a chronic illness like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma

What can you expect at an appointment with your ENT doctor?

At your first visit to an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you, they will review your medical history and discuss any particular symptoms you are experiencing. Carry out a list of your medications and supplements and tell them their frequency and dosage to help them understand your condition better. 

Next, they will perform visual and physical examinations to identify common ENT problems. They will inspect your head, neck, and face and look into your nose, ears, and throat using the otoscope.

Depending on your diagnosis, they might:

• Suggest further diagnostic procedures, such as tissue removal (biopsy) or an endoscopy (a nonsurgical procedure used to assess your stomach, intestines, and esophagus)
• Prescribe medications (like antibiotics) to manage or treat your symptoms.
• Discuss options for surgical interventions.

Common ENT surgeries performed by ear, nose & throat doctors

Ear, nose & throat (ENT) doctors perform various surgeries to address issues that can significantly impact breathing, hearing, and overall quality of life. Below are some common ENT surgeries that help manage chronic conditions and improve patient outcomes:

• Ear tube surgery: When children suffer from frequent middle ear infections, ear tube surgery may be necessary. During this procedure, an ENT doctor makes a small incision in the eardrum and inserts a tiny tube to ventilate the middle ear and equalize pressure, helping prevent future infections and fluid build-up that can affect hearing.
• FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery): It is a sinus surgery that widens the passage between the sinus and nasal cavity, preventing mucus build-up and related symptoms like pain and reduced sense of smell. The ENT doctor uses an endoscope and special tools to remove polyps and widen the nasal passages, improving breathing and drainage.
• Nasal surgery: Nasal surgery addresses nasal obstruction, such as swollen or inflamed turbinates that block airflow. ENT doctors can reduce the size of the turbinates to alleviate congestion and restore normal airflow.
• Ear surgery (Otoplasty): Ear surgery reshapes one or both ears, addressing concerns related to their size, shape, or orientation. In otoplasty, the ENT doctor makes an incision behind the ear to expose and reshape the cartilage, remove excess skin, and reposition the ear closer to the head. This procedure can also correct deformities like cauliflower ear and remove excess skin and cartilage.
• Middle ear surgery: The middle ear comprises the eardrum and three small bones (hammer, anvil, stirrup) that transmit sound. Middle ear surgeries include:
• Stapedectomy: Replaces a middle ear bone with a prosthesis to restore hearing.
• Tympanoplasty: Reconstructs the eardrum after hearing loss due to infection.
• Myringotomy: This technique drains ear fluid to prevent infection and regulates middle ear pressure. It can also repair a perforated eardrum or remove tumors from the middle ear.
• Sinus Surgery: Sinus surgery treats chronic sinus infections that don't respond to medications or other treatments. ENT doctors use an endoscope, a thin, flexible instrument with a tiny camera, to guide the removal of polyps and scar tissue, clearing the sinuses.
• Deviated septum surgery (Septoplasty): During septoplasty, the ENT doctor makes an incision inside the nose, lifts the mucous membrane covering the septum, and corrects the alignment of the deviated septum. The mucus membrane is then repositioned to improve nasal function and breathing.
• Tonsillectomy: Tonsillectomy involves removing both tonsils. ENT doctors typically perform this surgery using a scalpel, though they may also use diathermy (heat probe) or coblation (radiofrequency ablation).

Who is a pediatric otolaryngologist?

A pediatric otolaryngologist is trained and qualified to treat newborns, children, and adolescents. They are highly trained physicians of younger patients that require surgery or extensive medical treatment for ear, nose, or throat issues. Pediatric otolaryngologists must have completed at least three to four years of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery residency training. They participate in fellowship programs in primary children's hospitals to supplement their education.

Pediatric otolaryngologists work with children from birth to adolescence. They've decided to focus their medical practice on kid treatment. They have a solid understanding and thorough training that aligns with the specific nature of pediatric medical and surgical care as a result of considerable training and practice.

The Resource Notebook for Families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children is helpful for parents who have found their child's hearing impairments.

Symptoms of ENT disorders/conditions 

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers

Throat cancer is known by many names, depending on the regions of the throat. The oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx, or voice box, are the distinct components of your throat. Symptoms include:

• A sore throat with no pain relief or lasts for a longer time than expected (chronic sore throat)
• Having difficulty swallowing
• Earaches

According to quantitative data published by the American Cancer Society, in 2022, there were approximately 54,000 new instances of cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx in the United States, 11,230 of which were fatal.

Hay fever

Hay fever is caused due to allergic reactions from pollen, dust mites, or microscopic flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers found outside or indoors (pet dander). Symptoms include:

• Sneezing with a runny or congested nose
• Coughing and postnasal drip
• Eye bags and dark circles
• Fatigue

Approximately 7 million doctor visits were made with allergic rhinitis/hay fever as the primary diagnosis.

Cancers (malignant/benign) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus

Small hollow regions around the nose are known as paranasal sinuses. They're lined with mucus-producing cells, preventing your nose from drying. The canal right beneath your nose is known as the nasal cavity. As you breathe, air flows through it to your throat. Symptoms include:

• Headaches or pain in the sinuses regularly
• Swelling or pain in the eyes, ears, or face
• Fatigue and weight loss that isn't explained
• Tears in the eyes that don't stop

Such types of cancers that affect the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare. In the United States, they account for only 3% to 5% of head and neck malignancies.

Chronic sinusitis

Sinuses are hollow air holes located within the bones that surround the nose. Sinusitis occurs when they become inflamed due to another infection or issue. Symptoms include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Cough

Adults diagnosed with sinusitis make 28.9 million—2.7 million visits to doctors' offices, with chronic sinusitis as the principal diagnosis.

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a broad term for sleep-related breathing difficulties in children. SDB includes continuous loud snoring and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), which transpires when the airway becomes partially or wholly blocked during sleep.

When breathing gets disrupted during sleep, the body feels like choking. As a result, the heartbeat and blood pressure increase, which arouses the brain, disrupting sleep. It could also lead to a drop in the oxygen levels in the blood.

According to the ENT health website, approximately 10% of youngsters snore consistently while sleeping, and 2 to 4% have obstructive sleep apnea. Recent studies have also indicated that snoring or mild SDB may cause the same health issues as obstructive sleep apnea in children. 

Potential symptoms of SDB include:

• Snoring: Frequent loud snoring during sleep at night is followed by a complete blockage of breathing. This results in snorting and gasping noises, and the child wakes up. 
• Irritability: Children suffering from SDB may experience trouble focusing in the classroom, feel sleepy during the daytime, and become irritable. They may even display hyperactive or busy behavior. 
• Bedwetting: SDB may increase urine production, which may cause bedwetting at night. 
• Learning difficulties: SDB may cause mood issues in children. They may become disruptive or get easily distracted at school or home. Untreated SDB can even lead to attention deficit disorder in children. 
• Slow growth: Children suffering from SDB may not produce the required growth hormones, resulting in slow or abnormal growth or development. 
• Cardiovascular problems: OSA can increase high blood pressure, resulting in lung or heart problems in children. 
• Obesity: SDB may cause daytime fatigue, decrease physical activity, and increase insulin resistance, resulting in weight gain or obesity. 

Treatment: Enlarged adenoids and tonsils can commonly cause SDB in children. The ENT doctor will first examine the symptoms and then recommend appropriate treatment. The treatment may include surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids. It is generally considered when tonsils and adenoids are significantly enlarged and have severe pediatric SDB symptoms.

Find the best ear, nose, and throat doctor near you in Seattle, WA

Nothing should take precedence over your physical and mental health. A qualified and experienced ENT expert will be critical in diagnosing and treating essential sensory organs, including the ear and nose. After all, we all want an otolaryngologist who is trustworthy and professional and has the necessary knowledge and training to provide high-quality care.

Finding such a professional, as daunting as it sounds, does not have to be complicated! When scheduling an appointment, Zocdoc will help you make an informed selection. The highest-rated physicians in and around your area are listed in our comprehensive directory. Patients can also look through and read the profiles of thousands of ENTs in Seattle, WA, including information such as their previous educational qualifications, board certifications, and primary clinical interests. Local ENTs and otolaryngology head and neck surgeons who accept your insurance can be found via Zocdoc. After all, your insurance policy can assist you in budgeting.

If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.

You can book both in-person and online sessions via Zocdoc. While browsing the list of doctors matching your criteria, look for a purple video icon beside their name. This icon indicates that the ENT doctor near you offers virtual consultations.

All Zocdoc appointments are simple, secure, and completely free.

Influenza -- Seattle and the State of Washington

During the 2018-2019 influenza season, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) monitored influenza with local health jurisdictions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This study compiles data from critical systems between September 2018 and September 2019. Up to 40 outpatient healthcare providers in Washington reported data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each week on the total number of patients seen and patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) by age group. Fever (100oF/37.8oC or higher) combined with cough and sore throat are all symptoms of ILI.

During the 2018-2019 influenza season, there were 245 laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths: 230 influenza A, 10 influenza B, and 5 types unknown. Most deaths happened in those who had underlying health conditions or were elderly and had no pre-existing diseases. Two children died as a result of the accident. Cases recorded through the previous years:

2017-2018: 296 cases

2016-2017: 278 cases

2015-2016: 67 cases

2014-2015: 156 cases

In the 2018-2019 season, influenza claimed the lives of 54 people in King County, where Seattle is located. Compared to other counties, King County had the highest number of fatalities, followed by Pierce County with 42 cases, Snohomish and Spokane with 26 patients each, and Grays Harbor with 1 case.

Sources

American Cancer Society

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]

Mayo Clinic

American Society of Clinical Oncology[1]

American Society of Clinical Oncology[2]

MedlinePlus[1]

MedlinePlus[2]

MedlinePlus[3]

MedlinePlus[4]

American Academy of Pediatrics

Columbia University Department of Otolaryngology

American College of Surgeons

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

ENT Health

University of Utah Health

Texas Health Surgery Center Cleburne

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.