An otolaryngologist, also known as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the head and neck. They are trained to perform both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for a wide range of conditions and diseases affecting the ears, nose, throat, mouth, neck, and face. Otolaryngologists can perform head and neck surgeries, including surgeries on the ears, nose, and throat. They can also provide treatment by prescribing medicine or performing a procedure or surgery. Some of the conditions that otolaryngologists treat include hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. They also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear, allergies, sinusitis, smell disorders, polyps, and nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum. Otolaryngologists also provide treatment for benign tumors and cancers of the head and neck, except for eye and brain cancers. They perform reconstructive plastic surgery after facial injury or surgery and cosmetic plastic surgeries of the face and neck. Otolaryngologists are qualified to perform many types of surgery on the delicate and complex tissues of the head and neck. They can also diagnose disorders and diseases of the head and neck by performing examinations, often using specialized equipment.