Compare 3 ents (otolaryngologists) in University Acres, Durham. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
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.
Duke Health dominates the local market. If your insurance covers Duke, it simplifies referrals and records. If not, Duke Regional Hospital and community health centers offer broader insurance acceptance.
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.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Hearing test: $50-250 · Sinus surgery: $5,000-10,000 · Tonsillectomy: $3,000-7,000
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.