
It helps if your ENT is involved with medical groups and associations. Then they need to pass the ABO examination.įind out how much experience and expertise an ENT has for your particular issue. To be board certified, the doctor must have completed four years of college, four years of medical school and at least five years of specialty training. Besides getting along with an ENT specialist, you want to choose a doctor with board certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO). What should I look for when choosing an ENT?Ĭhoosing the right ENT doctor for you or your child is important. They might want you to do special imaging tests called MRIs if the doctor feels it’s necessary for your specific issue. An ear irrigator and bulb syringe clear ear wax and debris buildup.Īfter an exam, an ENT may prescribe antibiotics. A curette is a long, skinny tool that gently scoops ear wax out of your ear. Instruments, such as an otoscope, are designed to look deep into your ear to diagnose wax buildup, ear infections and other problems. Hoarseness that lasts longer than six weeks for vocal cord damage, polyps or other problemsĭuring an exam with an ENT, the doctor looks into your ears, nose and throat using special tools.Chronic ear infections, especially for kids, but also for adults (it could mean a growth).Lump in the neck (adults), which could indicate mouth, throat or thyroid cancer.

Chronic tonsil problems and sore throats for both kids and adults.Sudden hearing loss that needs a hearing test.Here are some conditions for which you might go directly to an ENT: It’s perfectly fine to start by making an appointment with your general practitioner for an ear, nose or throat problem. What problems do I need to go to an ENT for? The tubes circulate air and resolve chronic ear infections. ENTs are also trained to insert tiny ear tubes in a child’s middle ear. That’s because an ENT has specialized training and equipment to handle delicate little ears, noses and throats. Or, if your child has recurring ear infections, it’s best to see an ENT. Sometimes a pediatrician doesn’t want to handle an ENT issue, like cleaning a child’s impacted ear wax. If you have a child with an ear, nose or throat problem, your pediatrician may refer you to an ENT specialist. They’ll refer to a proper specialist or ENT for diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor might think the condition is complex.

Before calling an ENT, contact your primary care doctor about the following common conditions: Primary care physicians can sometimes treat certain ear, nose and throat issues. What ENT problems can my primary care provider treat?
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Whether the doctor is called an ENT or otolaryngologist, this professional is trained in treating patients with ear, nose and throat disorders and diseases.Īn ENT trains in the specialty for years, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. An ENT is also called an otolaryngologist. When to see a specialist for ear, nose and throat problemsĪn ENT is an ear, nose and throat doctor.
