18,661
ENTs (Otolaryngologists)
100%
Accepting patients
84%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 18,661 ents (otolaryngologists) nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (84%). 65% accept Medicare.
ENTs (otolaryngologists) are physicians who specialize in conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. They treat sinus infections, hearing loss, tonsil problems, voice disorders, allergies affecting the upper airway, sleep apnea, and head and neck cancers. ENT is both a medical and surgical specialty.
After medical school, ENTs complete a five-year residency in otolaryngology, one of the most competitive surgical training programs. The residency covers ear surgery, sinus surgery, throat and voice procedures, facial plastic surgery, and head and neck oncology. Many go on to fellowship in subspecialties like pediatric ENT, rhinology (sinuses), otology (ears), or laryngology (voice).
The ear, nose, and throat are interconnected systems. A problem in one area often affects the others. ENTs are trained to evaluate and treat the full picture rather than addressing symptoms in isolation.
See an ENT for chronic sinus infections (more than three per year), hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), persistent sore throat, frequent nosebleeds, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness lasting more than two weeks, sleep apnea or loud snoring, enlarged tonsils or adenoids in children, a lump in the neck, or ear infections that keep recurring.
The first visit includes a review of your symptoms and medical history, followed by an examination of your ears, nose, and throat using a headlight and specialized instruments. The ENT may use a flexible scope (passed through the nose) to view your sinuses, throat, or voice box. A hearing test may be performed on site. They will explain findings and discuss treatment options, which may be medical or surgical.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Hearing test: $50-250 · Sinus surgery: $5,000-10,000 · Tonsillectomy: $3,000-7,000
It depends on your insurance plan. PPO plans usually allow you to schedule directly. HMO plans typically require a referral from your primary care doctor. Even without a requirement, many patients are referred by their PCP after initial treatments (antibiotics for sinus infections, for example) have not resolved the problem.
See an ENT if you have sinus infections more than three times a year, if symptoms last longer than 12 weeks despite treatment, if you have nasal polyps, or if antibiotics and decongestants are not providing lasting relief. ENTs can perform imaging and in-office procedures to identify structural issues that primary care cannot fully evaluate.
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the first-line treatment. If you cannot tolerate CPAP, an ENT can evaluate whether you are a candidate for surgical options like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), tonsillectomy, or newer procedures like hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire). Oral appliances fitted by a dentist are another alternative for mild to moderate cases.
If your child has three or more ear infections in six months, or four in a year, an ENT evaluation is worthwhile. They can assess whether ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) would help. The tube placement procedure takes about 15 minutes under light anesthesia and dramatically reduces infection frequency for most children.
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ENT visits are covered as specialist visits under medical insurance. Hearing tests are covered when ordered for medical evaluation. Hearing aids are not covered by most plans, though some states mandate partial coverage. Sinus surgery and tonsillectomy typically require prior authorization. Verify in-network status for both the ENT and any surgical facility.