Otorhinolaryngologist is a physician who treats ear, nose and throat diseases, as well as helps to improve quality of life, if there are dysfunctions in this anatomical region.
During the visit, specific tests are made to check the nasal breathing, aural, vestibular, vocal and other functions. The most common specific ORL test methods are: tympanometry, rhinomanometry, speech audiometry, hearing threshold audiometry, etc.
If necessary, the physician will refer the patient for laboratory and visual diagnostics examinations or to a physician of another speciality for additional testing. For example, often throat pain is associated with gastrointestinal disorders or prolonged runny nose might be a sign of an allergy.
Red flags for visiting a otorhinolaryngologist:
additional complaints after a period of initially mild cold or ear infection: fever, strong headache, photosensitivity, nausea and/or dizziness etc.;
hoarseness for more than three weeks;
any sudden impairment or loss of hearing;
bloody discharge from the respiratory tract;
prolonged, resistant ear inflammation with smelly discharge;
frequent tonsillitis with pus around the tonsils, joint, kidney or heart valve inflammation.