An otolaryngologist, also known as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, is a healthcare specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the head and neck. They are trained to perform both nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Otolaryngologists must complete their undergraduate education, apply for medical school, and undergo five more years of residency training in their chosen field. Some otolaryngologists even choose to pursue further education in subspecialties like pediatric otolaryngology and reconstructive surgery.

Otolaryngologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and diseases affecting the ears, nose, and throat, ranging from mild (such as a cough and runny nose) to serious (such as head and neck cancer). They also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear. Some of the more common problems they treat include persistent sore throat, runny nose that doesn’t go away, chronic cough, chronic sinus pressure or nasal congestion, dizziness, vertigo, severe allergies, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and hearing loss.

Otolaryngologists are qualified to perform many types of surgery on the delicate and complex tissues of the head and neck. They provide treatment for benign tumors and cancers of the head and neck, except for eye and brain cancers. They also treat tonsil and adenoid problems, chronic reflux (stomach acid flowing into your esophagus), and disorders related to thyroid, nerve, voice, swallowing, and sleep. Otolaryngologists perform reconstructive plastic surgery after facial injury or surgery and cosmetic plastic surgeries of the face and neck.

In summary, an otolaryngologist is a healthcare specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the head and neck, including the ears, nose, and throat. They are trained to perform both nonsurgical and surgical treatments and manage a wide range of condi...