ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Specialty

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, specialise in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders and conditions in adults and children.


What are the common ENT conditions and symptoms?

1. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nasal sinuses. It is a common condition typically caused by a viral infection and improves within a few weeks. The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind the forehead and cheekbones.

The mucus generated by your sinuses generally drains into your nose via small channels. In sinusitis, the sinus linings are inflamed and cause the channels to become blocked.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

  • Pain, tenderness and swelling around your forehead, eyes and cheeks
  • Reduced sense of smell
  • Blocked nose
  • Thick white, yellow, or green discharge from your nose
  • Fever
  • Bad breath
  • Toothache
  • Cough
  • Ear pressure
  • Tiredness
2. Hearing loss

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions that otolaryngologists diagnose and treat.

This condition often develops with age as a natural result of ageing. Other causes include chronic ear infections, trauma to the ear or head, extended exposure to loud noise, and even certain ototoxic medications.

Signs of hearing loss include:

  • Difficulty hearing other people clearly
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Muffled sounds
  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
3. Vertigo

Vertigo is a sensation that you or the environment around you is spinning or moving. It can cause a person to feel lightheaded and unbalanced.

Common causes of vertigo include disorders of parts of the ear and brain that regulate balance. Other causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), head injury, inner ear infection and Ménière's disease.

Symptoms include:

  • Loss of balance
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Headache
4. Obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition that interrupts normal breathing during sleep due to a relaxed and narrowed airway.

Common symptoms include:

  • Noisy and laboured breathing
  • Loud snoring
  • Repeated short intervals where breathing is interrupted by snorting or gasping
  • Morning headaches
  • Tiredness during the day
5. Middle ear infection (otitis media)

This is an infection of the middle ear characterised by inflammation (swelling and redness) and the accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum due to an infection such as cold.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain in the ear
  • Fever
  • Mild hearing loss – if the middle ear has a fluid accumulation
  • Discharge from the ear
  • Loss of balance (rarely)
6. Allergic rhinitis

It is the inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by allergens such as pollen, mould, dust, or skin flakes from certain animals.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Itchiness
  • Sneezing
7. Nasal obstruction

This happens when the nasal passages are blocked, causing difficulty in breathing through the nose. It may be due to various conditions like cold, infection of the sinus, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, swollen turbinates, nasal polyps, nasal cysts, or tumours and deviated nasal septum.

8. Nose bleeds (epistaxis)

Nose bleeds occur due to a broken blood vessel in the nose. These are often not serious and can be treated at home. It can be heavy or light and last for a few seconds to minutes.

9. Tonsilitis

The inflammation of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. It is usually caused by viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms include:

  • Red and swollen tonsils
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck
  • High fever over 38oC
  • Bad breath
  • Headache
  • Nausea

What are the screening tests for ENT conditions?

Screening tests are used to detect and diagnose various conditions and diseases. The goal is to identify them early for more effective treatment options.

Types of ENT screenings include:

  1. Hearing screening

    A hearing screening is a brief test to determine how well you hear different sounds.

    Newborn babies also typically undergo a hearing screening prior to discharge.

  2. Head and neck cancer screenings

    Screenings for head and neck cancer involve a physical examination of the nose, mouth, and throat to look for abnormalities.


How are ENT conditions diagnosed?

Prompt diagnosis is vital for appropriate and accurate treatment. Many factors can cause ENT symptoms. Therefore, it is important to consult a trained specialist.

Diagnosis is made based on various investigations. Your doctor will first evaluate your medical history and symptoms before conducting a physical examination.

Tests that may be requested:

  • Hearing test to identify degree and type of hearing loss
  • Endoscopy
  • Imaging tests: X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound
  • Blood tests
  • Tissue biopsy

How are ENT conditions treated?

The treatment options differ according to the types of ENT conditions. Your individual treatment plan will depend on various factors such as medical history, current health, risk factors, age, and severity of the condition.

1. Sinusitis

The primary treatment for sinusitis is symptom relief. The following are some of the treatment options for sinusitis:

  • Nasal irrigation with saline solution
  • Nasal steroids
  • Nasal anticholinergics such as Ipratropium bromide
  • Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine
  • Nasal decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrine
  • Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine

If your symptoms worsen, your doctor may start you on antibiotic treatment. The commonly prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin. In some instances, if a patient is not responding to medications, surgery may be recommended.

2. Hearing loss

The treatment depends on the cause and severity of hearing loss.

  • Conductive hearing loss: Treatment for conductive hearing loss is usually temporary and treatable. This condition can be treated with medication or minor surgery. For example, removing earwax build up with drops or surgically draining fluid from the middle ear.
  • Sensorineural hearing loss: Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is permanent. There are several options to improve hearing ability such as using a digital hearing aid and cochlear implants.

How to protect yourself against hearing loss

3. Vertigo

Vertigo treatment depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms.

During an attack of vertigo, lying still in a dark, quiet area may relieve nausea and lessen the spinning sensation. You may also be prescribed medicine.

You should also avoid stressful situations, as anxiety can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

4. Obstructive sleep apnoea

Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) includes:

  • Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking; lose weight if obese or overweight; limit alcohol consumption
  • Continuous positive airway pressure: This treatment is needed for those with moderate to severe OSA. A small pump that provides a constant flow of compressed air through a mask covering the nose or the nose and mouth. The compressed air prevents your throat from closing.
5. Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Most middle ear infections (otitis media) resolve within three to five days without specific treatment.

Analgesics can be used to relieve pain. Antibiotics are not routinely used to treat otitis media. However, those with chronic infection may require short courses of antibiotics.

6. Allergic rhinitis

It may be impossible to entirely avoid allergens; however, you can take measures to minimise exposure to a specific allergen that you suspect is triggering your allergic rhinitis. As a result, your symptoms will improve.

For mild conditions, over-the-counter medications such as non-sedating antihistamines would help and routinely rinsing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution to remove irritants.

Speak to your doctor if none of the methods above help alleviate your symptoms, as you may require stronger medication such as a corticosteroid nasal spray.

7. Nasal obstruction

After the doctor has identified the source of nasal obstruction, treatment includes washing with nasal rinses, medications and sometimes, surgery.

8. Nose bleeds (epistaxis)

Nose bleeds are often not serious and can be treated at home. To stop a nosebleed at home:

  • For at least 10 to 15 minutes, sit down and pinch the soft part of your nose just above your nostrils.
  • Lean forward and breathe through your mouth to prevent blood from draining down the back of your throat.
  • Place a towel-covered ice pack or bag of frozen veggies on the bridge of your nose.
  • Stay upright instead of lying down, as this will decrease the pressure in the blood vessels of your nose and prevent further bleeding.

If bleeding still persists, then further treatment is required at the hospital.

9. Tonsilitis

Treatment options for tonsilitis include at-home care and rest, saltwater gargles, analgesics, antibiotics, and in some cases, surgery.

The caring team of healthcare professionals are available for consultation and to provide the best care. Get in touch with us to book an appointment today. We assure you the best possible care tailored to your specific needs.

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