Otolaryngology, Ear, Nose & Throat

Otology and Neurotology covers the ear and balance system, from common problems such as ear infections, eardrum problems, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear wax and dizziness, through to more complex disease of the inner ear, hearing nerve and balance system. 

Patients may present with vertigo, chronic ear disease, cholesteatoma, facial nerve problems or acoustic neuroma. Depending on the diagnosis, care may include hearing and balance assessment, grommets, eardrum repair, mastoid or other ear surgery, and hearing restoration with bone-anchored hearing devices or cochlear implant assessment.

Rhinology manages nose and sinus conditions such as blocked nose, sinusitis, nasal polyps, allergies, deviated septum, loss of smell, and nosebleeds. 

Treatment may include nasal sprays, endoscopy, septoplasty, turbinate reduction or functional endoscopic sinus surgery to improve breathing, drainage and quality of life.

Laryngology focuses on the throat, voice box and upper airway. Patients may have hoarseness, voice strain, vocal cord nodules, reflux-related throat symptoms, swallowing problems, chronic cough or noisy breathing. Care may include flexible laryngoscopy, voice therapy, swallowing assessment, vocal cord injections, laser treatment or voice box surgery.

Head and neck surgery treats lumps, tumours and disorders in the mouth, throat, neck, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid, lymph nodes and skin of the head and neck. It includes assessment of neck lumps, biopsy, cancer surgery, reconstruction and close coordination with radiology, oncology, speech therapy and dietetics where needed

Paediatric ENT cares for babies, children and teenagers with ear, nose, throat, hearing, breathing and sleep problems. Common reasons include glue ear, recurrent ear infections, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, snoring, tongue tie, airway concerns and speech-related hearing issues. Treatment may include grommets, tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. 

This area treats functional, reconstructive and cosmetic problems of the face, nose and ears. Procedures may include rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty, nasal valve surgery, facial injury repair, skin cancer reconstruction, scar revision, ear reshaping and facial nerve rehabilitation, aiming to restore breathing, appearance and confidence

ENT sleep specialists assess snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, including a blocked nose, enlarged tonsils, tongue-base obstruction and airway collapse during sleep. Treatment may include lifestyle advice, nasal treatment, support with CPAP or oral appliances, and selected surgery to improve airflow, sleep quality and daytime alertness. 

Skull base surgery manages complex tumours and conditions at the junction of the ear, nose and brain, often working alongside neurosurgery. This may include acoustic neuroma and other skull base lesions.

An ENT surgeon, also called an Ear, Nose and Throat or Head and Neck surgeon, is trained to perform surgery on the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, voice box, mouth, face, head and neck, including operations to improve breathing, swallowing, hearing and sleep. They also provide medical treatment, minor procedures and hearing care when needed

Common ENT procedures include grommets, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, septoplasty, turbinate surgery, sinus surgery, ear surgery, eardrum repair, thyroid surgery, salivary gland surgery, sleep apnoea surgery, skin cancer reconstruction and head and neck cancer surgery. 

Yes. Children commonly see ENT specialists for glue ear, hearing concerns, recurrent ear infections, tonsillitis, enlarged adenoids, snoring, blocked nose, speech-related hearing problems and airway concerns. 

No. Many ENT conditions are treated without surgery using medicines, ear drops, injections, laser therapy, hearing aids, voice therapy, swallowing therapy or monitoring. Surgery is discussed only when it is likely to help. 

Seek medical advice for sudden hearing loss, ongoing hoarseness, neck lump, trouble swallowing, coughing blood, severe nosebleeds, one-sided blocked nose, persistent ear pain, dizziness, breathing difficulty, unexplained weight loss or symptoms lasting more than a few weeks. 

Tests may include ear examination, hearing and balance tests, nasal endoscopy, flexible laryngoscopy, allergy testing, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, biopsy or sleep study. Your specialist will choose tests based on your symptoms. 

Bring your referral, medication list, allergies, previous scan or hearing test results, details of past operations and your main questions. Note how long symptoms have been present, what makes them better or worse, and any other concerning symptoms. 

This is a quick clinic test using a thin camera to look inside the nose, throat or voice box. It helps diagnose sinus disease, nasal blockage, throat problems, voice changes, swallowing issues and possible tumours. 

Risks vary by operation but may include bleeding, infection, pain, swelling, scarring, taste change, voice change, hearing change, dizziness, numbness, breathing problems, need for further surgery or anaesthetic risks. Your surgeon will explain your personal risks. 

This depends on the procedure. Some operations are day surgery, such as grommets or minor nasal procedures. Larger ear, sinus, thyroid, airway or head and neck cancer operations may need one or more nights in hospital.