What Is an ENT

ENT Care at GW Hospital: What to Know

November 12, 2024

If you have experienced chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea or hearing loss, you may have seen an otolaryngologist, or ENT physician.

Otolaryngology is commonly known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) medicine. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck.

ENT education and training

Like all doctors, ENT specialists complete four years of medical school. Then, they undergo about five years of intensive residency training in otolaryngology. During this residency period, ENTs gain hands-on experience in patient care.

Many ENT physicians choose to work toward board certification through the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS). To earn certification, the physician must complete an accredited residency program and pass written and oral exams. To remain certified, ENTs participate in certain annual activities determined by the ABOHNS.

In some cases, ENT specialists may further subspecialize in areas such as pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, facial plastic surgery, or otology (the study of ear diseases).

Conditions treated by ENTs

The range of conditions that ENTs diagnose and treat is wide. At GW Hospital, they treat everything from ear infections and balance disorders to nasal obstruction and swallowing difficulties.

Patients with head and neck cancers receive comprehensive care at GW Cancer Center. In addition, ENT surgeons at GW Hospital treat patients requiring reconstructive surgery due to deformity, cancer treatment or injury.

Other conditions include:

• Hearing loss
• Chronic sinusitis
• Allergies
• Voice disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
• Graves' disease
• Orbital abscess … and more

Procedures offered by ENTs

ENT specialists at GW Hospital perform both non-invasive treatments and complex surgical procedures. Some common procedures include:

• Cochlear implants: A cochlear implant is a small, electronic device that can amplify sound perception to a person who is deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. These devices can help people who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids.
• Endoscopic sinus surgery: Using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, ENT physicians can access and treat problems inside the nasal cavity without large incisions.
• Tonsillectomy: This is the surgical removal of the tonsils, typically done in cases of recurrent tonsillitis.
• Thyroid surgery: ENT specialists often remove part or all of the thyroid gland in cases of thyroid cancer or other abnormalities.
• Functional and cosmetic procedures: ENTs at GW Hospital perform reconstructive and cosmetic procedures like near-incisionless rhinoplasty, facial implants and oral cancer surgical reconstruction.

Patients with oropharyngeal cancer can turn to GW Cancer Center for radiation or surgical treatment, with or without chemotherapy.

When to see an ENT

Those with persistent issues with their ears, nose or throat, that do not resolve with general medical care, should consider visiting an ENT specialist.

Some signs that might prompt a referral include:

• Chronic sinus infections that don't improve with medication
• Recurring ear infections or hearing loss
• Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
• Persistent nasal congestion or nosebleeds
• Unexplained lumps or swelling in the neck

If you are experiencing any of the above, talk with your primary care provider to determine whether you should see an ENT at GW Hospital.

SOURCE: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.