5 Symptoms Your Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor Should Examine

If you are experiencing any type of problem with your ears, nose or throat, you should see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor right away. However, how can you know when it’s time to schedule an appointment with one? There are numerous symptoms and signs to be on the lookout for, and the following are five very obvious indications that it’s time to consult an ear, nose and throat doctor:

Hearing Loss

Have you noticed your hearing is getting worse? That you have been turning the TV up a little bit more each time you turn it on, or you are losing track of conversations in noisy environments? Chances are, you might be experiencing hearing loss.

Hearing loss can be temporary, meaning it goes and then comes back likely due to other health conditions or environmental factors such as being exposed to loud noises. However, more permanent hearing loss needs to be checked out by your ear, nose and throat doctor. Your ENT doctor will perform tests and procedures to determine the level of hearing loss you are experiencing and help you decide on the right hearing aid for your needs.

Sinus Pain

Sinus pain can be felt in your face, ears, upper teeth area and your nose. Your sinuses take up a large portion of space in your head, and as such, sinus pain is excruciating. While common colds and illnesses can cause this, if you are experiencing ongoing sinus pain for longer than a few days or the pain is recurring, then it might be worth visiting your ENT doctor to get things checked out. It can be that your sinuses are inflamed or swollen, and they can give you the correct treatment to resolve the issue.

Nasal Congestion

Do you have a stuffy nose all of the time or just occasionally? Do you experience a blocked nose regularly? If this is the case, you should schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Nasal congestion that persists for an extended period is unusual and indicates a significant problem. In addition to a deviated septum, infections and airborne allergies, there are several more typical causes of a blocked nose to consider. In most cases, an immediate inspection of the nose will reveal a quick cure before the problem worsens.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is commonly referred to as ringing in the ears. Tinnitus is a condition in which you may hear noises and sounds even when there is no external source to listen to them. When you attend a concert or a nightclub, you may endure brief episodes of tinnitus that subside afterward within a few hours.

If you notice that your symptoms are growing worse or becoming more frequent, you should seek advice from an ENT doctor right away.

Tinnitus and hearing loss are sometimes associated with one another. Tinnitus is usually only transient, although it can negatively impact your day-to-day activities in some circumstances. It is possible to treat tinnitus with various treatments and therapies, including sound machines, which can help mask the whooshing, ringing, buzzing or humming noises that you may experience due to the condition.

However, while hearing loss does not cause tinnitus, it can exacerbate symptoms by making the sounds created by tinnitus appear louder due to the absence of background noises that you cannot hear because of your reduced hearing. If you have hearing tests and are found to have any degree of hearing loss, fixing the problem may help to alleviate your tinnitus symptoms.

Chronic Sore Throat

A sore throat is usually associated with many short-term illnesses such as tonsillitis, flu, common colds or even injuries such as burns or scratches from food and drinks. A chronic sore throat is when the pain lingers despite no other symptoms or previous symptoms cleaning up. However, with over-the-counter pain medication or antibiotics, the pain usually subsides in a few days. If you have a sore throat after a few weeks, you should visit your ear, nose and throat doctor to help you identify the cause of the pain and discuss your treatment options.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and need to visit an ENT doctor to get things checked out at Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, we are here to take your call and help you get the right treatment for your concerns. Call us today at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014 and New Asheville: 828-458-8100