4 Signs You Should See an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors specializes in various conditions that impact the ears, nose and throat. There are a wide range of common health conditions which impact these areas that you might be experiencing. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you keep track of the common signs that you should speak to an ENT doctor. Here are some of the signs that you should be aware of and the health conditions that they can point to.

Tinnitus

First, you may want to consider speaking to an ENT if you have noticed signs of tinnitus. Tinnitus is commonly caused by exposing your ears to loud noises repeatedly. However, there are other causes to be aware of as well. For instance, you might experience tinnitus if you have a high amount of earwax present in your ears.

Tinnitus will cause you to hear sounds that are not actually there. The sounds can be anything from a buzzing, vibrating or a whirring. You might even hear a small piece of music on repeat. There are different types of tinnitus. Some can be treated while other forms can be managed.

An ENT will help you determine what type of tinnitus you are experiencing and provide the right treatment option. In some cases, hearing aids will help with tinnitus. They can mask the noise that you are hearing, ensuring you can relax or concentrate. An ENT will discuss the different options with you.

Hearing Loss

Next, you should think about whether you might be experiencing hearing loss. Hearing loss can impact you at any age and similar to tinnitus has a wide range of causes. It can be due to a blockage in your ear or it might be neurological. Therefore, you need to make sure that you speak to an ENT. They can help ascertain whether you are experiencing hearing loss by completing a hearing test.

If a hearing test does reveal that you are experiencing hearing loss, then the most likely form of treatment will be hearing aids. There are lots of different types of hearing aids available on the market. An ENT will be able to recommend the best option based on your needs, depending on the level of hearing loss that you are experiencing. Do be aware that hearing loss can also impact other aspects of your health including your balance.

Sinusitis

Are you experiencing issues with your sinuses? Regular trouble with your sinuses can be due to the common cold. However, it’s also possible for sinus problems to develop further if they are not treated.

You should consider speaking to an ENT if you have regular problems with your sinuses or if issues with your sinuses last for more than a couple of weeks. An ENT doctor can help identify the issue that you are experiencing and ensure that you do get the full support that you need.

You might also experience various other symptoms along with sinus issues. This could include anything from headaches to fever. There are various treatment options for problems with your sinuses. The right method will usually depend on the type of sinus infection that you are experiencing. This could be viral, bacterial or fungal.

Sore Throat

Finally, you might want to think about speaking to an ENT doctor if you are constantly experiencing sore throats. Sore throats are common if you have a cough or cold. However, you need to be more cautious if sore throats are lasting for a longer period or if they are constantly recurring. You may also want to speak to an ENT if you have a sore throat for more than a couple of weeks.

In cases like this it’s possible that there are underlying issues which are behind your symptoms. For instance, issues with a sore throat that won’t go away can be a sign that you have tonsillitis. If you have tonsillitis, then you can get treatment and wait for your symptoms to subside. However, if you are having constant issues with your sore throat, then it might be a sign that your tonsils need to be removed. Your ENT can discuss this with you further.

We hope this helps you understand some of the common signs that you do need to speak to an ear, noise and throat doctor. They can help guarantee that you get the support you need and ensure that an issue doesn’t go unchecked. You can learn more about ENT Specialists and the help that they can provide by contacting us today at (402) 983-9948.