What is an ENT doctor?
Ear, nose and throat doctors (ENT, also known as otorhinolaryngologists) and head and neck cancer surgeons diagnose illnesses in the ears, nose, throat, neck and head. They provide medication or surgical treatment depending on what the situation requires. ENT doctors also treat balance issues and vertigo.
Services provided by an ENT doctor
- Diagnosis and treatment (ear, nose, throat)
- Medication prescription
- Surgery
An otorhinolaryngologist (ENT doctor) is the specialist who operates to solve problems in the eardrum, inner ear, sinuses, larynx, pharynx, thyroid, salivary glands and so on. Surgery may be necessary for things like benign tumours, stapedectomy (microsurgery on the smallest bone in the middle ear), otoplasty or tonsillectomy. - Medical referrals
When necessary, an ENT doctor may refer patients to other health professionals like an audiologist or an audioprosthetist in cases of sensory-neural deafness, for example, that cannot be treated with medication or surgery.
Main areas of specialty of an ENT doctor (otorhinolaryngologist):
Ear
- Tinnitus
- Balance
- Earaches
- Otitis
- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
- Sudden hearing loss
- Tubes in the ears (tympanostomy)
- Vertigo
Nose
- Allergies
- Nasal congestion
- Smell
- Breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Sinusitis
Throat and neck
- Cancer of the larynx
- Salivary glands
- Laryngitis
- Benign voice diseases
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux
- Thyroid
- Voice
Head
- Facial nerve disorders
Cancers of the ears, nose, throat and neck
Did you know that…
Most services provided by ENT doctors require a medical referral from a family doctor or other health professional.
Visit fees are usually covered by Quebec’s insurance program (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec).