Otolaryngology is a medical specialty focused on the ears, nose, and throat. It is also called otolaryngology head and neck surgery because specialists are trained in medicine and surgery. An otolaryngologist is often called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or an ENT.
This medical specialty dates back to the 19th century, when doctors recognized that the head and neck contained a series of interconnected systems.
Doctors developed techniques and tools for examining and treating problems of the head and neck, eventually forming a medical specialty. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.
Otolaryngologists differ from many physicians in that they are qualified to perform many types of surgery on the delicate and complex tissues of the head and neck.
What do otolaryngologists treat?
Ear: Otolaryngologists are trained in the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance 
disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. They also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear.
Nose: Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Otolaryngologists diagnose, manage, and treat allergies, sinusitis, smell disorders, polyps, and nasal obstruction due to a deviated
septum. They can also correct the appearance of the nose (rhinoplasty surgery).
Throat: Otolaryngologists have expertise in managing diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
Head and Neck: In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists are trained to treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
How are otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons trained?
An otolaryngologist is ready to start practicing after completing up to 15 years of college and post-graduate training. To receive certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology, individuals must first complete college, medical school, and at least five years of specialty training. Next, the physician must pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination. Some then pursue a one- or two-year fellowship for more training in a subspecialty area. All full-time faculty at Columbia have completed fellowship training in their areas of expertise.
Assessments
Otolaryngologists collaborate with other specialists to make sure you get the care you need. The otolaryngology (ENT)/head and neck surgeons perform hundreds of more common procedures, such as removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), repair of eardrum (tympanic membrane) perforations, and sinus surgery. They do highly complex surgeries, such as endoscopy for pituitary tumors, robotic surgery for throat cancer, and microsurgery for acoustic neuroma tumors.
All diagnostic assessments, medical treatments, and surgical procedures are not services available at each location. Such services include:
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Acoustic immittance tests, typically performed and supervised by audiologists, play a vital role in the detection and diagnosis of middle ear pathologies. Although a technician easily accomplishes tympanometry screenings, the underlying principles of acoustics and middle ear physiology that dictate the interpretation of results are complex.
- Acoustic assessment is an integral part of pediatric voice evaluation and requires that the speech-language pathologist (SLP) gathers reliable data that can be compared to a normative sample, thereby allowing for objective measurement of dysphonia. Obtaining a reliable data set with children can be challenging.
- The phonatory aerodynamic [voice] evaluation determines the amount of airflow and pressure you use during voice production. This helps us assess the relationship between your airflow, air pressure, and the acoustic sound of your voice. Aerodynamic measures are important for gaining a better understanding of how efficiently you use your airflow to speak.
- Airway reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed to widen your windpipe to make breathing easier. During this procedure, a small piece of cartilage (connective tissue found in many areas of your body), is inserted into the narrowed section of the windpipe to make it wider.
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Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs), also referred to as evoked responses, are a record of the time it takes nerves in the auditory system to respond to sound and electrical stimulation. Nerve signals are rapidly sent from parts of the ear to the brain and vice-versa.
- Aural rehabilitation, often referred to as aural rehab or A.R., encompasses a wide set of practices aimed at optimizing a person’s ability to participate in activities that have been limited as a result of hearing loss. Some hearing healthcare professionals use an aural rehabilitation model in their work with clients. For instance, to improve communication strategies are used to improve conversational ability and reduce limitations caused by hearing loss, improving quality of life.
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- Balloon sinuplasty is a type of endoscopic nasal surgery. It works by using small balloon catheters that inflate to drain the large nasal sinuses. Balloon sinuplasty is typically used to treat cases of severe rhinosinusitis or sinus inflammation and blockage in the nose.
Other Services and surgery regarding Ears, Nose, and Throat
- Custom ear protector [ear plug] fitting
- Ear reconstruction – surgery to repair or rebuild the external part of the ear, called the auricle or pinna, and Electroacoustic assessments of hearing aids
- Electronystagmography (ENG) – is a diagnostic test to record involuntary movements of the eye caused by a condition known as nystagmus. It can also be used to diagnose the cause of vertigo, dizziness, loss of hearing, or balance dysfunction by testing the vestibular system. Electronystagmography is used to assess voluntary and involuntary eye movements. It evaluates the cochlear nerve and the oculomotor nerve
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- Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to remove blockages and treat other problems in the sinuses using an endoscope — a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light. This type of surgery does not include cutting the skin because it is performed entirely through the nostrils.
- An esophagoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a tube with a light and a camera into your esophagus to examine or treat your upper GI tract.
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