ENT (Otolaryngology): Diseases, Symptoms and Treatments

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), known in medicine as “Otorhinolaryngology,” is a medical specialty that examines diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures in the head and neck region. This field covers essential sensory and functional systems such as hearing, balance, breathing, swallowing, smell, and voice production. ENT physicians provide both medical and surgical treatments.

In terms of ear diseases, ENT evaluates hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), middle ear infections, earwax accumulation, and balance disorders. It also plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of balance system disorders such as inner-ear–related vertigo. When necessary, audiometry and endoscopic examinations are performed.

Within the scope of nasal and sinus diseases, ENT deals with conditions such as nasal obstruction, sinusitis, turbinate hypertrophy, septal deviation, and allergic rhinitis. Surgical procedures such as septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or endoscopic sinus surgery may be performed in these cases. In addition, snoring and sleep apnea treatments are also within the field of ENT expertise.

Regarding throat and voice disorders, ENT evaluates conditions such as tonsil and adenoid infections, hoarseness, reflux-related throat irritation, and swallowing difficulties. Laryngeal examination is performed when necessary. ENT specialists are also involved in the diagnosis of neck masses, salivary gland diseases, and thyroid-related pathologies.

What Areas Does an ENT Specialist’s Responsibility Cover?

You can think of an ENT and Head–Neck Surgery specialist not as a physician of a specific organ system, but as a physician of a specific region of the body. Simply put, we ENT specialists deal with almost all medical and surgical problems above the shoulders, excluding the brain and spinal cord (which fall under Neurosurgery) and the eyes and eyeball (which fall under Ophthalmology). This regional specialization places us in a very unique position within the medical world.

Reaching this level of expertise is a long and demanding journey. After graduating from medical school, physicians take a highly competitive exam called the Medical Specialty Examination (TUS). ENT is one of the most preferred specialties that require the highest scores in this exam. A physician who passes this challenging exam begins an intensive five-year residency training. The early years of this training are spent learning basic surgical disciplines and general surgical principles. In later years, the focus shifts entirely to the complex anatomy, diseases, and the most delicate surgical techniques of the head and neck region. At the end of this process, the graduating specialist becomes a physician fully equipped to diagnose patients, plan medical treatments, and perform even the most complex surgeries when necessary.

Does an ENT Specialist Provide Both Medical Treatment and Surgery?

Absolutely yes. In fact, this is perhaps the most distinctive and strongest feature of ENT specialization. In many other surgical branches, medical treatment of a disease is managed by one physician, and when surgery is required, the patient is referred to another surgeon. In contrast, the ENT specialist combines these two important roles into a single physician identity. For the patient, this means remarkable treatment continuity and trust.

Let us explain this with a simple example. Suppose you have long-standing sinusitis complaints that do not resolve. When you consult an ENT specialist, your physician first establishes the diagnosis through a detailed examination. Then medical treatments such as antibiotics and nasal sprays are initiated, and you are followed up. If your condition does not respond to these medications and surgical intervention becomes necessary, instead of referring you to another physician, the same doctor plans and performs the surgery (for example, endoscopic sinus surgery). Going through the entire process—from diagnosis to postoperative follow-ups—with the same physician ensures complete command of every stage of the disease and establishes an unshakable trust between physician and patient.

Moreover, our patient spectrum is very broad. From a newborn with congenital airway problems to an elderly individual with hearing loss, from an artist who uses their voice professionally to a patient fighting head and neck cancer, we serve people of all ages and all segments of society.

Which Diseases Does ENT Treat for Ear Pain and Hearing Loss?

Our ear is not only an organ that allows us to hear the outside world; it is also the center of our body’s delicate balance mechanism. Therefore, a problem in the ear can seriously affect our quality of life. As ENT specialists, we deal with all medical and surgical problems of this complex organ. Whether it is an acute infection or a ringing that has persisted for years, the right address for a solution is ENT.

The main ear diseases that come to mind include:

  • External ear canal infection (Swimmer’s ear)
  • Acute otitis media
  • Chronic otitis media
  • Fluid accumulation in the middle ear (Otitis media with effusion)
  • Mastoiditis (Infection of the bone behind the ear)

These infections are especially common in childhood and can lead to permanent hearing problems if not treated properly.

Hearing loss, on the other hand, is a completely different and multilayered issue. As ENT specialists, we investigate the cause of all types of hearing loss and determine the appropriate treatment method. We basically divide hearing loss into two categories. The first is “conductive type” loss caused by mechanical problems that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear. The second is “sensorineural type” loss caused by damage to the delicate nerve cells in the inner ear or to the auditory nerve itself.

Some conditions that cause conductive hearing loss include:

  • Earwax (Cerumen)
  • Eardrum perforation
  • Calcification of the middle ear ossicles (Otosclerosis)
  • Tumors in the middle ear

Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

  • Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis)
  • Exposure to loud noise
  • Genetic factors
  • Sudden hearing loss
  • Meniere’s disease

Balance disorders are also among the most important topics of ENT otology (ear science). When a patient presents with the complaint “I feel dizzy,” it is our job to determine whether the source of the problem is the balance organ in the inner ear. The most common balance disorders we encounter are:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV – canalithiasis)
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Vestibular neuritis
  • Labyrinthitis

In addition, conditions that seriously reduce patients’ quality of life—such as tinnitus, eardrum problems, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx, and cholesteatoma, a destructive cyst of the middle ear—are also within the field of expertise of ENT specialists.

What Solutions Does ENT Offer for Nasal Congestion and Sinusitis?

The nose is not only an organ that enables us to smell; it is also a vital filter that warms, humidifies, and cleans the air we breathe. Problems in the nose and surrounding sinuses affect many aspects of life, from breathing quality to sleep patterns. Rhinology, or the science of the nose, deals with this important area of ENT.

Among the most common problems we encounter related to the nose and sinuses are inflammatory conditions, including:

  • Allergic rhinitis (Hay fever)
  • Non-allergic rhinitis
  • Acute rhinosinusitis (Short-term sinus infection)
  • Chronic rhinosinusitis (Sinus infection lasting longer than 12 weeks)
  • Nasal polyps (Benign growths inside the nose)

These conditions usually cause complaints such as nasal congestion, facial pain, postnasal drip, and impaired sense of smell. In treatment, we offer a wide range of solutions, from medications to surgery.

Another important issue is structural, or anatomical, problems of the nose. These problems, whether congenital or resulting from trauma, can cause permanent nasal obstruction. The most common problems we correct in this area are:

  • Septal deviation (Curvature of the nasal septum)
  • Turbinate hypertrophy (Enlargement of the nasal turbinates)
  • Nasal valve collapse

These structural problems are usually corrected with surgical interventions (such as septoplasty or turbinate surgery), thereby improving the patient’s breathing quality.

In addition, as ENT specialists, we also deal with more specific nasal and sinus problems, some of which include:

  • Epistaxis (Nosebleeds)
  • Smell and taste disorders (Anosmia, hyposmia)
  • Cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF rhinorrhea)
  • Benign or malignant tumors of the nose and sinuses

Do Sore Throat, Hoarseness, and Difficulty Swallowing Fall Under ENT?

Yes, all problems related to the throat, voice, and swallowing fall directly under the field of ENT specialization called Laryngology (the science of the larynx). This area is extremely critical because it is the intersection point of three vital functions: breathing, speaking, and eating.

The most common problems we see in the throat are usually infections and inflammations, including:

  • Acute pharyngitis (Sore throat)
  • Chronic pharyngitis
  • Acute tonsillitis
  • Chronic tonsillitis

Hoarseness is a very common complaint in society and should never be underestimated. Hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks must be evaluated by an ENT specialist. The main conditions that cause hoarseness include:

  • Laryngitis (Inflammation of the vocal cords)
  • Vocal cord nodules
  • Vocal cord polyps
  • Vocal cord cysts
  • Vocal cord paralysis
  • Laryngeal cancer

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is also an important symptom that both reduces quality of life and can lead to serious health problems. Evaluating swallowing function and identifying the underlying cause (tumor, neurological problem, structural narrowing, etc.) is the responsibility of the ENT specialist.

In addition, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR), also known as “silent reflux,” which we encounter increasingly in recent years, also falls within this field. This condition occurs when stomach acid reaches the throat and irritates the vocal cords and pharyngeal region, causing complaints such as persistent cough, a sensation of something stuck in the throat, and hoarseness.

Which Types of Cancer and Tumors Does an ENT Specialist Deal With?

This question best explains the “Head and Neck Surgery” aspect of ENT specialization. ENT specialists assume a primary role in the surgical treatment of both benign and malignant tumors arising in the head and neck region. This is an extremely delicate and complex surgical field.

The main types of cancer we treat surgically include:

  • Oral cavity cancers (Tongue, lip, cheek, palate)
  • Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
  • Pharyngeal cancers (Nasopharynx, base of tongue, tonsillar region)
  • Salivary gland cancers (Parotid, submandibular gland, etc.)
  • Thyroid gland cancers
  • Nasal and sinus cancers
  • Skin cancers of the head and neck region (including melanoma)

Treatment of these cancers usually requires a multidisciplinary team approach together with radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. As surgeons, our role is to remove the tumor completely without leaving any residual tissue and, if necessary, to reconstruct the resulting tissue loss.

In addition to cancers, we also deal with benign masses frequently seen in the head and neck region, some of which include:

  • Thyroid nodules and goiter
  • Parathyroid adenomas
  • Salivary gland tumors (Pleomorphic adenoma, etc.)
  • Congenital neck cysts (Branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal cyst)

Why Should I See an ENT Specialist for Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea are much more than simple noise problems; they are actually airway diseases. The source of the problem is usually anatomical narrowing in the upper airway, which falls within the field of interest of ENT. Therefore, ENT specialists play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders.

Sleep apnea is a serious health condition characterized by repeated stopping and starting of breathing during sleep. If you or someone close to you has the following symptoms, you should definitely consult an ENT specialist:

  • Very loud and continuous snoring
  • Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Sudden awakening with a feeling of choking
  • Waking up tired and with headaches in the morning
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating

As ENT specialists, we first identify where or in which areas of your airway there is narrowing (tongue base, soft palate, tonsils, etc.) through endoscopic examinations. Then, together with the results of a sleep test called polysomnography, we create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include a wide range of options, from simple lifestyle changes to oral appliances, positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, and various surgical options:

Which Methods Are Used to Make a Diagnosis in an ENT Examination?

The diagnostic process in ENT is generally fast and effective, because we have the ability to directly see and test the source of complaints. The methods we use in our clinics are among the greatest conveniences that technology has brought to medicine.

Everything begins with carefully listening to the patient’s complaints and performing a classic physical examination. However, our main strength lies in endoscopic examination. An endoscope is a thin, flexible or rigid instrument with a camera and light source at its tip. This allows us to examine in detail areas that are impossible to see with the naked eye.

  • Nasal Endoscopy: This examination, performed by entering through the nostrils, clearly visualizes the inside of the nose, the nasopharyngeal region, and the channels where the sinuses open. It is the gold standard for diagnosing sinusitis, polyps, or deviation.
  • Flexible Laryngoscopy: Using a thin, flexible endoscope inserted through the nose, deeper structures such as the vocal cords, pharynx, and tongue base are examined. It is an indispensable method for complaints such as hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. We can observe the movement of the vocal cords live while the patient says “Eeee.”

For hearing and balance problems, we use objective tests.

  • Audiometry (Hearing Test): Conducted in a soundproof booth, it measures whether the patient hears sounds at different frequencies and determines the type and degree of hearing loss.
  • Tympanometry (Middle Ear Pressure Test): A painless test that measures whether there is fluid in the middle ear or the mobility of the eardrum.
  • When we deem it necessary, we resort to more advanced diagnostic methods.
  • Computed Tomography (CT): Shows bone structures and sinuses in detail.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Superior in visualizing soft tissues and tumors.
  • Biopsy and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): Taking tissue or cell samples from suspicious masses for diagnosis.

What Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments Are Applied in ENT Diseases?

Our treatment approach is as diverse as the diseases themselves. Our primary goal is always to resolve the problem without surgery. However, when necessary, we do not hesitate to apply the most modern and effective surgical techniques.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

This group includes medications and rehabilitation therapies.

  • Medical Treatments: The main groups of medications we prescribe include:
    • Antibiotics
    • Corticosteroid sprays and tablets
    • Antihistamines (Allergy medications)
    • Decongestants (Nasal decongestants)
    • Reflux medications
  • Rehabilitation Therapies: In this field, we work closely with other healthcare professionals.
  • Audiologists: Experts in the selection, fitting, and programming of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
  • Speech and Language Therapists: Our greatest allies in the rehabilitation of voice and swallowing disorders.
  • Vestibular Therapists (Balance Therapists): They apply special exercise programs for chronic dizziness and balance disorders.

Surgical Treatments:

  • ENT is a specialty that performs many of the most commonly conducted surgeries in society.

Frequently Performed Surgeries:

  • Tonsil and adenoid surgery (Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy)
  • Insertion of ear tubes (Ventilation tube placement)
  • Nasal septum surgery (Septoplasty)
  • Turbinate surgery
  • Sinus surgery (Endoscopic sinus surgery)

Advanced and Specialized Surgeries:

  • Microsurgery: Extremely delicate surgeries performed under an operating microscope. Stapedectomy, in which middle ear bones are replaced with a prosthesis, and cochlear implant surgeries are prime examples.
  • Robotic Surgery (TORS): Removal of tumors in hard-to-reach areas such as the tongue base or tonsils using robotic arms inserted through the mouth.
  • Facial Plastic Surgery: Performed for both aesthetic and reconstructive purposes. In addition to aesthetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, prominent ear correction, and facelifts, it also includes reconstruction of facial tissue loss after accidents or cancer:
  • Microvascular Free Flap Surgery: The pinnacle of head and neck surgery. In a patient whose jaw, tongue, or part of the larynx has been removed due to cancer, a piece of bone and tissue taken from another part of the body (for example, the leg), along with its blood vessels, is microscopically anastomosed to the vessels in the neck to reconstruct the area.

Are There More Specialized Subspecialties (Fellowships) Within ENT?

Yes, there are. Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and in a broad specialty like ENT, some physicians choose to focus even more deeply on a specific area. These special trainings, which last one or two additional years beyond the five-year residency, are called “subspecialty” or “fellowship.” In this way, super-specialists capable of dealing with even the most complex and rare diseases are trained.

The main ENT subspecialty areas include:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology: Deals exclusively with ENT diseases in children.
  • Otology and Neurotology: Focuses on complex ear surgeries, cochlear implants, and balance disorders.
  • Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Specializes in both aesthetic (rhinoplasty, facelift, etc.) and reconstructive (post-cancer, trauma, etc.) facial surgeries.
  • Head and Neck Surgical Oncology: Deals exclusively with the surgical treatment of head and neck cancers.
  • Rhinology: Focuses on refractory sinusitis, skull base surgery, and complex nasal diseases.
  • Laryngology: Deals with microsurgery and treatment of voice, airway, and swallowing disorders.
  • Sleep Medicine and Surgery: Specializes in advanced surgical treatments of sleep apnea.

This subspecialization enables each patient to reach the most experienced and appropriate physician for their specific problem and pushes the boundaries of medical science even further.

F.A.Q.

The ENT department deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as ear infections, hearing loss, sinusitis, nasal obstruction, adenoids, tonsil problems, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing.
An ENT specialist is a physician who completes a 5-year Ear, Nose and Throat residency after medical school. They are experts in both surgical and medical treatments and treat diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck region.
ENT specialists treat problems such as external ear infections, middle ear infections, hearing loss, and tinnitus. When necessary, surgical procedures such as eardrum repair or ear tube insertion are performed.
ENT specialists diagnose and treat diseases such as nasal obstruction, sinusitis, nosebleeds, septal deviation, and allergic rhinitis. They also perform aesthetic and functional nasal surgeries.
Throat infections, tonsillitis, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and reflux-related throat problems fall within the ENT field. Treatment is provided with medication or, when necessary, surgical methods such as tonsil surgery.
Yes, conditions such as dizziness, balance loss, and vertigo may originate from the inner ear. An ENT specialist evaluates the vestibular system and plans treatment with appropriate medications or balance exercises.
ENT specialists evaluate problems such as nasal obstruction, adenoids, or soft palate collapse that cause snoring and sleep apnea. Treatment may include CPAP devices, surgical intervention, or weight control.
In children, common conditions such as ear infections, adenoids, tonsil enlargement, nasal obstruction, and hearing problems are treated by ENT specialists. Early intervention is important for development and speech health.
ENT specialists perform many surgical procedures such as tonsil and adenoid surgery, rhinoplasty, sinus surgery, eardrum repair, hearing implants, and tumor surgeries. These operations are performed under general or local anesthesia.
In cases of long-lasting tinnitus, nasal obstruction, sore throat, hoarseness, or dizziness, an ENT specialist should be consulted. Early diagnosis prevents permanent hearing or breathing problems.
Updated Date: 13.10.2026

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *