When you have specific symptoms like runny nose, cough, voice change or ear pain, you may think your first stop is the primary care physician or the urgent care clinic. What if your physician recommends an otolaryngologist or an ENT. Are they the same thing?
What’s in a Name?
Otolaryngology is the branch of medicine that specializes in ear, nose and throat issues. Over time as a society, we have shortened this to an acronym: ENT. An ENT physician is truly the same thing as an otolaryngologist, it’s just easier to say and write down.
All in the Family:
An otolaryngologist or ENT physician specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of issues that affect your ears. This can include hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, ear infections or ear pain. They work closely with audiologists to help treat these conditions as well. ENTs are surgeons too and are trained in multiple procedures involving the ear and its inner workings.
ENTs also specialize in the assessment and treatment of nasal issues like runny nose, sinus pressure, nasal congestion and allergies. They are well versed in the surgeries and treatments needed to help provide relief to conditions related to nasal issues.
Voice and throat issues? Otolaryngologists specialize in that too! They treat issues with tonsils, neck/throat lumps, sore throats and voice changes. They have specialized equipment called videostroboscopy that can view the vocal cords in slow motion. They can see the problem and can provide surgical intervention if needed on these delicate tissues. ENTs even use special speech therapists called vocologists to help patients with their voice problems. Head and neck cancer is another speciality ENT physicians with multiple ways to assess and treat.
Training? It’s Special Too…
After getting a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree, otolaryngologists spend 5 years in residency learning about the ears, nose and throat. This means they are following ENTs in multiple settings while watching and learning from them. This also means completing surgeries and caring for patients under the supervision of physicians who are recognized as otolaryngologists.
Help is Here
If you’re dealing with issues that are affecting your throat or voice, your nasal areas or your ears in any way, you may need to consult with an otolaryngologist. Don’t worry when you search on the internet if the physician is described as an “ENT Doctor” because now you know otolaryngologist and ENT mean the same thing.
Visit Our Clinic
Dr. John Fewins and his team of experts are ready to help you with their personalized care in Fort Worth, Texas. Contact us today so we can help you get relief with ear, nose and throat related issues.
