What Does An Otolaryngologist Do?

By Florida Gulf Coast Ear, Nose & Throat

What is an Otolaryngologist?
Otolaryngology 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), allergy, and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT physicians.

Otolaryngologists are ready to start practicing medicine after completing up to 15 years of college and post-graduate training.

What types of medical problems do otolaryngologists treat?
The Ears – Otolaryngologists are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders.

The Nose – Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists including sinus disease, allergies, nosebleeds, and nasal deformities (both functional and cosmetic).

The Throat – Otolaryngologists manage tonsils and adenoid infections, diseases of the larynx (voice box) and esophagus including voice and swallowing disorders, airway problems including obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.

The Head and Neck – Otolaryngologists are trained to treat infectious diseases of the head and neck area, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors including the thyroid, facial trauma, and deformities of the face (both cosmetic and reconstructive).

EAR
The ear is a very sophisticated organ. It not only provides us with the ability to hear but it is also integrally involved in our balance system. Hearing loss and dizziness affect millions of lives every year, significantly impacting their quality of life. With specialized training in otology and neuro-otology, our physicians treat a wide array of diseases affecting the ear.

Diagnostic, Treatment, Surgical and Rehabilitative Services Provided:
• Adult and Pediatric Ear Disorders
• Vertigo & Balance Disorders
• Ear Infections
• Ear Tubes
• Hearing Loss
• Implantable Hearing Devices
• Hearing Aids
• Tinnitus/Ringing in the Ears
• Tumors and Skin Cysts
• Middle Ear Problems and Prosthesis
• Perforated Ear Drums
• Otosclerosis and Laser Stapedotomy
• Sudden Sensorineural Hearing loss

We offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for all types of hearing loss including sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, sudden hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss.

Imbalance, dizziness and vertigo can be very complex problems. That’s why we here at Florida Gulf Coast ENT understand the importance of a complete, thorough medical evaluation and indepth diagnostic testing for your dizziness issues. Let our team of highly trained professionals be a resource for you. Don’t let your life be diminished by dizziness, poor balance or hearing loss.

We have one of the largest selection of hearing aids available for people with hearing loss. Our hearing rehabilitation specialists will help you select the type of hearing device that is right for you. We have hearing aids to fit every budget and lifestyle. Financing and special programs are available.

Hearing
We offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for all types of hearing loss including sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, sudden hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss.

Imbalance, dizziness and vertigo can be very complex problems. That’s why we here at Florida Gulf Coast ENT understand the importance of a complete, thorough medical evaluation and in-depth diagnostic testing for your dizziness issues. Let our team of highly trained professionals be a resource for you. Don’t let your life be diminished by dizziness, poor balance or hearing loss.

Patients with hearing loss can count on our highly skilled audiology staff to provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for hearing as well as rehabilitative technology and services that are unmatched by other area providers.

We have one of the largest selection of hearing aids available for people with hearing loss. We offer a variety of state-of-the-art and cosmetically appealing hearing aids. Our hearing rehabilitation specialists will help you select the type of hearing device that is right for you. We have hearing aids to fit every budget and lifestyle. Financing and special programs are available. We also provide digital programming, repairs, maintenance and accessories onsite.

Balance & Dizziness
Our specialists perform an advanced comprehensive evaluation, and spend extra time educating patients on the specific nature of their complaints. Our patients leave the office with a complete understanding of their underlying problem. The patients are comfortable with the treatment options utilized to manage these distressing symptoms. Here their problem and the treatment options are analyzed in a comprehensive manner, and delivered by caring and knowledgeable physicians and professionals.
• Vertigo
• Meniere’s
• Dizziness
• Inner Ear Infections/Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular Disorders

Hearing Aids & Assistive Listening Devices
You can discuss hearing aid options with the doctors and the audiologist to determine which model might be right for you. Click on appropriate model to read more about the advantages, disadvantages and suitability of each model. You can also discuss surgery to correct hearing loss and assistive devices in the home with the doctors.
• Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
• In-The-Ear (ITE)
• In-The-Canal (ITC)
• Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)
• Receiever in the Canal (RIC)
• Open Fitting

Nose Sinus & Breathing
Our physicians are board certified and fellowship trained in Rhinology and Advanced Sinus Surgery. They were the first surgeons in Southwest Florida to perform Balloon Sinuplasty™, the least invasive and most comfortable method for performing sinus surgery. We provide testing and treatment for a wide range of sinus and nasal diseases.
• Disease of the Sinuses & Nose
• Allergies
• Acute & Chronic Sinusitis
• Bacterial Infections
• Nosebleeds
• Nasal Obstruction/Deviated Septums
• Snoring
• Allergic Fungal Sinusitis
• Sinonasal Tumors/Masses
• Nasal Polyps
• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
• Balloon Sinuplasty™
• Clarifix
• Sinonasal Trauma
• Sinonasal Tumors/Polyps/Masses
• Smell/Taste Problems

Allergies & Asthma
Our physicians are board certified and fellowship trained in ear, nose and throat-related allergy problems, including food allergies and allergies of the eyes and skin. We provide testing and treatment for a wide range of allergic diseases.

TESTING, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR:
• Adult & Pediatric Allergies & Hay Fever Symptoms
• Seasonal Allergies to Pollens, Dust Mites, & Molds
• Allergens, Pollen, Dust, Dust Mites & Mold Spores
• Animal Allergies
• Food Allergies – including Gluten & Casein Allergy
• Animal Allergies
• Skin Allergies/Eczema
• Hives
• Anaphylaxis & Angioedema
• Allergy Shots
• Xolair
• Allergic Asthma
• Allergic Reactions to Insects Balloon Sinuplasty

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?
• Balloon Sinuplasty (BSP) is a safe and effective procedure for many patients seeking relief from uncomfortable and painful sinusitis symptoms.
• If you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are not responding well to medication, or if you have recurrent acute rhinosinusitis, you may be a candidate for sinus surgery. There is now a less invasive technology used by ENT doctors to treat patients with chronic and recurrent acute sinusitis.
• With Balloon Sinuplasty, ENT doctors open inflamed sinuses in the same way that heart surgeons open up blocked arteries during balloon angioplasty. The procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery, and effective at relieving symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Balloon Sinuplasty allows patients to return to normal activities quickly. Unlike conventional sinus surgery, it does not include removal of bone or tissue from the nose. And, Balloon Sinuplasty is now offered by some doctors in their office under local anesthesia, so that there is no need to go to an operating room or undergo general anesthesia.

Throat
Problems of the throat are quite common. The staff of Florida Gulf Coast Ear, Nose and Throat is highly skilled and experienced.

We have treated thousands of patients suffering from a variety of acute and chronic throat or pharyngeal illnesses and disorders.

DIAGNOSTIC, TREATMENT AND SURGICAL SERVICES PROVIDED:
• Tonsils & Adenoids
• Chronic Sore Throats
• Strep Throat
• Throat Surgery
• Somnoplasty Post Nasal Drip/Phlegm in Throat
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – GERD
• Epiglottitis
• Laryngitis
• Swallowing Disorders
• Voice Disorders including Botox for Spasmodic Dysphonia
• Vocal Cord Disorders
• Vocal Cord Polyps and Nodules
• Soft Palate
• Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Laryngology Treatment and Surgical Services
Voice Disorders:
• Vocal fold paralysis
• Vocal fold nodules and polyps
• Vocal fold cysts and granulomas
• Early laryngeal cancer and precancerous lesions of the larynx
• Reinke’s Edema
• Laryngeal papillomatosis
• Laryngeal Dystonia/Spasmodic Dysphonia
• Neurologic conditions affecting voice
• Voice Gender Dysphoria

Airway Disorders:
• Tracheal diseases
• Airway obstruction
• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Chronic cough
• Laryngeal cancer
• Tracheal stenosis
• Subglottic stenosis

Swallowing Disorders:
• Zenker’s Diverticulum
• Cricopharyngeal Hypertrophy
• Cervical esophageal narrowing
• Inability to burp or belch (R-CPD)
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux

Florida Gulf Coast Ear Nose & Throat

(239) 514-2225 | www.floridagulfcoastent.com

Our Team
Samuel L. Hill, III, MD, FACS, FAAOA
Patrick M. Reidy, MD
Leela Lavasani, MD, FACS
Benjamin Lehmkuhl, DO
Liuba Soldatova, MD
Sue-Lay Plasencia, DNP, APRN, NP-C
Nicole Gergenti, APRN, FNP-C
Billy Crooks, HAS
Shanai Hill, AU.D., CCC-A
Cynthia Drobiazgiewicz, AU.D., CCC-A
Nicole Diehl, AU.D., CCC-A, FAAA
LaVertta Miller, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC