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Training and
Patient Care
Otolaryngologists
are ready to
start practicing
after completing
up to 15 years
of college and
post-graduate
training. To
qualify for
certification by
the American
Board of
Otolaryngology,
an applicant
must first
complete
college, medical
school (usually
four years), and
at least five
years of
specialty
training. Next,
the physician
must pass the
American Board
of
Otolaryngology
examination. In
addition, some
otolaryngologists
pursue a one- or
two- year
fellowship for
more extensive
training in one
of seven
subspecialty
areas.
These
subspecialty
areas are
pediatric
otolaryngology
(children),
otology/neurotology
(ears, balance,
and tinnitus),
allergy, facial
plastic and
reconstructive
surgery, head
and neck,
laryngology
(throat), and
rhinology
(nose). Some
otolaryngologists
limit their
practices to one
of these seven
areas.
What makes
otolaryngologists
the most
appropriate
physicians to
treat disorders
of the ears,
nose, throat,
and related
structures of
the head and
neck?
These
specialists
differ from many
physicians in
that they are
trained in both
medicine and
surgery.
Otolaryngologists
do not need to
refer patients
to other
physicians when
ear, nose,
throat, or
head/neck
surgery is
needed and,
therefore, can
offer the most
appropriate care
for each
individual
patient
Diagnosis and
Treatment in
Seven Areas of
Expertise
Otology/Neurotology:
diseases of the
ear, including
trauma (injury),
cancer, and
nerve pathway
disorders, which
affect hearing
and balance.
Examples: ear
infection;
swimmer's ear;
hearing loss;
ear, face, or
neck pain;
dizziness,
ringing in the
ears
(tinnitus).
Pediatric
Otolaryngology:
diseases in
children with
special ENT
problems
including birth
defects in the
head and neck
and
developmental
delays.
Examples: ear
infection (otitis
media), tonsil
and adenoid
infection,
airway
problems,
Down's
syndrome,
asthma and
allergy/sinus
disease.
Head and Neck:
cancerous and
non-cancerous
tumors in the
head and neck,
including the
thyroid and
parathyroid.
Examples: lump
in the neck or
thyroid,
cancer of the
voice box.
Facial Plastic
and
Reconstructive
Surgery:
cosmetic,
functional, and
reconstructive
surgical
treatment of
abnormalities of
the face and
neck.
Examples:
deviated
septum,
rhinoplasty
(nose),
face-lift,
cleft palate,
drooping
eyelids, and
hair loss.
Rhinology:
disorders of the
nose and
sinuses.
Examples:
sinus
disorder,
nosebleed,
stuffy nose,
loss of smell.
Laryngology:
disorders of the
throat,
including voice
and swallowing
problems.
Examples: sore
throat,
hoarseness,
swallowing
disorder,
gastroesophageal
reflux disease
(GERD).
Allergy:
treatment by
medication,
immunotherapy
(allergy shots)
and/or avoidance
of pollen, dust,
mold, food, and
other
sensitivities
that affect the
ear, nose, and
throat.
Examples: hay
fever,
seasonal and
perennial
rhinitis,
chronic
sinusitis,
laryngitis,
sore throat,
otitis media,
dizziness.
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Otolaryngology
(pronounced
oh/toe/lair/in/goll/oh/jee)
is the oldest
medical
specialty in the
United States.
Otolaryngologists
are physicians
trained in the
medical and
surgical
management and
treatment of
patients with
diseases and
disorders of the
ear, nose,
throat (ENT),
and related
structures of
the head and
neck. They are
commonly
referred to as
ENT physicians.
