Ear, Nose and Throat

What Is Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)?

Otorhinolaryngology, commonly known as ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat), is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck region. It plays a crucial role in maintaining vital functions such as hearing, breathing, speech, balance, smell, and swallowing.

Early diagnosis and treatment of ENT disorders help prevent hearing loss, respiratory problems, sleep disorders, and many conditions that significantly reduce quality of life.

What Does the ENT Department Treat?

The ENT department manages a wide range of diseases using both medical and surgical approaches.

Main areas of focus include:

• Ear diseases and hearing disorders
• Nose and sinus diseases
• Throat, larynx, and vocal cord disorders
• Head and neck diseases
• Sleep apnea and snoring
• Balance disorders and vertigo
• Pediatric ENT diseases

ENT Diseases

Ear Diseases

• Middle ear infection (otitis media)
• External ear infection (otitis externa)
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Balance disorders and vertigo
• Ménière’s disease
• Earwax blockage (cerumen impaction)
• Eardrum perforation

Nose Diseases

• Sinusitis
• Nasal congestion
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nasal polyps
• Septal deviation (deviated nasal septum)
• Nosebleeds
• Disorders of smell

Throat and Laryngeal Diseases

• Pharyngitis (throat infection)
• Tonsillitis
• Laryngitis
• Hoarseness and voice disorders
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Throat problems related to reflux
• Snoring and sleep apnea

Head and Neck Diseases

• Head and neck tumors
• Thyroid diseases
• Salivary gland disorders
• Lymph node infections
• Facial nerve disorders
• Tear duct obstruction

Pediatric ENT (Children’s ENT)

ENT diseases are common in childhood. In particular, the following conditions are frequently evaluated and treated by ENT specialists:

• Middle ear infections
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Recurrent throat infections
• Nasal congestion and snoring

When necessary, surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or ear tube insertion may be performed.

Diagnostic Tests Used in the ENT Department

Diagnosis is established through detailed physical examination and advanced diagnostic tests.

Commonly Used Tests

• Audiometry (hearing test)
• Tympanometry
• Pure tone audiometry
• Acoustic reflex testing
• Endoscopic nasal and sinus examination
• Laryngoscopy (vocal cord examination)
• Balance tests (VNG – videonystagmography)
• Allergy tests
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Polysomnography (sleep study)

ENT Treatment Methods

Treatment is planned individually based on the type and severity of the disease.

Medical Treatments

• Antibiotic and infection treatments
• Allergy medications and nasal sprays
• Reflux treatments
• Voice therapy
• Vertigo and balance therapies

Surgical Treatments

• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Sinus surgery (FESS – Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)
• Ear tube insertion
• Septoplasty
• Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery)
• Eardrum repair (tympanoplasty)
• Sleep apnea surgery
• Head and neck tumor surgeries

Thanks to minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques, recovery is faster and more comfortable.

Collaboration Between ENT, Audiology, and Aesthetic Surgery

• ENT: Provides medical and surgical treatments
• Audiology: Performs hearing and balance tests and fits hearing aids
• Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery: Performs aesthetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and nose

This multidisciplinary approach aims to achieve the best functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About ENT

What causes postnasal drip?
It may result from sinusitis, allergies, or infections.

When should tinnitus be taken seriously?
If it becomes persistent or is accompanied by hearing loss, medical evaluation is recommended.

How can sinusitis be prevented?
Maintaining nasal hygiene, staying in well-humidified environments, and avoiding allergens are important.

Are snoring and sleep apnea the same?
No. Sleep apnea involves breathing pauses during sleep and requires treatment.

How long should hoarseness last before seeing a doctor?
ENT evaluation is recommended if hoarseness lasts longer than one week.

Is there a separate ENT department for children?
Pediatric ENT conditions are treated by ENT specialists.