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Scope of Practice

An otolaryngologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical management of disorders of the head and neck, and especially those related to the ear, nose and throat. The word otolaryngology derives from several Greek base words: oto-ear, rhino-nose, and laryn-throat. The specialty of otolaryngology has developed such that an otolaryngologist is often the specialist best able to treat any disorder in the region of the head and neck, excluding the brain, spinal cord and vertebral column.

An otolaryngologist must study and train for a minimum of 13 years before practicing or receiving certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology. That includes a bachelor’s degree in college, a doctor of medicine degree, an internship (usually in general surgery), and at least four years of specialty residency training in otolaryngology. Some otolaryngologists also pursue fellowship, or subspecialty, training in otology, rhinology, laryngology, plastic surgery of the face, head and neck oncology, or allergy. However, most otolaryngologists practice general otolaryngology.

While otolaryngology is a surgical subspecialty, otolaryngologists are also able to provide medical care for a variety of disorders in the head and neck region. At Kentuckiana Ear, Nose and Throat, we perform evaluations and treat nearly all disorders within the scope of modern otolaryngologic practice.

A large part of our practice involves the management of all types of ear disorders, including infection, hearing loss, balance disorders, microscopic ear surgery to restore hearing, and cochlear implants. We have sophisticated equipment to evaluate dizziness and hearing loss, including standard audiologic testing, balance testing (electronystagmography), otoacoustic emmision testing, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. We have three full-time audiologists licensed to perform all types of audiologic testing, and certified to fit hearing aids when needed.

With extensive knowledge of head and neck anatomy, otolaryngologists are able to surgically remove or plan treatment for many types of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck. This includes tumors of the oral cavity, throat, larynx, thyroid gland, salivary glands, nose and sinuses, lymph nodes in the neck, and facial skin cancers.

The otolaryngologist is the most capable specialist to evaluate and manage nasal and sinus disorders. Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, a routine office procedure, allows for the most accurate diagnosis of nasal obstruction, recurrent and chronic sinusitis, nasal allergies, and other types of nasal and sinus disease. The doctors in Kentuckiana Ear, Nose and Throat were the first in the Louisville metro area to use sophisticated image guidance systems for endoscopic sinus surgery.

All of our physicians treat patients of all ages, including children. We routinely handle cases such as tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, ear ventilation tubes, cauterization for nose bleeds, and removal of congenital cysts. We have audiologists able to evaluate a child with hearing loss.

The physicians of Kentuckiana Ear, Nose and Throat have the ability to perform fiberoptic, videotaped examinations of the throat. This allows accurate diagnosis in the management of hoarseness and vocal cord disorders, swallowing problems, and other voice and speech irregularities.

Many of the physicians at Kentuckiana Ear, Nose and Throat have an interest, special expertise, or fellowship training in one or more areas of otolaryngology. Click on physicians to find out more about the doctors of Kentuckiana Ear, Nose and Throat.