Understanding What Otolaryngologists Do

Do you have an otolaryngologist? Maybe you have, but call them by a different name. Otolaryngologists are doctors who specialize in managing conditions of ears, nose, and throat. Yes, they are ear, nose, and throat doctors. They are usually called ENT doctors. Some even specializes in one specific area of the body, like that of the nose, and others work with these three areas. These otolaryngologists have responsibilities in working with your ears, nose, and throat problems.

A Closer Look at the Responsibilities of an Otolaryngologist

The otolaryngologist is responsible for diagnosis of any conditions of the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, voice box, pharynx, mouth, thyroid, esophagus, and salivary glands. These disorders may range from viral, bacterial, yeast, or inflammation of both adults and children. It is also their responsibility to determine the treatment for such diseases. There are cases in which these disorders need to be referred to other specialist, like that of patients with suspected malignancies. Patients with hearing, speech or any other anatomical abnormalities of the ears, nose and throat are also managed by otolaryngologists. Like for instance, if a patient with tinnitus is being treated, the ENT specialist will determine what causes this, if it is caused by colds, allergies, or other sources. These specialists may also recommend devices such as hearing aids. Additionally, they are also responsible in working with trauma patients -- vehicular accidents with head or neck injury.

Surgery is another responsibility of an otolaryngologist. They perform procedures such as tonsillectomy, reconstructive surgeries, and rhinoplasty. In fact, ENT doctors can perform surgery for patients with severe dizziness or any structural injury to the inner, middle, and outer ear. Aside from that, these specialists can also perform microsurgery like that of the intricate Stapedectomy which is the removal of the staple bone which corrects hearing loss, and the removal of cochlea, an inner chamber of the ear which is usually the surgical management for prolonged dizziness also known as Meniere's disease.

Roxy, a registered nurse from the Philippines, has a passion for writing that brewed with her years of experience. She is interested in writing a wide array of topics. You can check out her other articles here.

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