The full form of ENT is Ear, Nose, and Throat but an ENT specialist also treats the head and neck area. Usually, this ENT doctor should be referred by a general physician, so when you wanted to visit ENT take advice from your doctor to refer. When you first visit an ENT, let him know the symptoms so that he proceeds to perform a physical and visual examination.

This examination includes looking in the eyes, nose, and throat using light. An ENT is also called an Otolaryngologist. He uses a special instrument called an otoscope to peer into your ears but ensures that it will not hurt you. He also uses other instruments to peer, pole, and prod but these procedures will not cause any discomfort. If you feel any discomfort immediately tell the ENT so that can provide the appropriate drugs to relieve your pain.

Tests that are done during your first visit might be any of the following depending on your condition.

ENT Examination: This examination includes inspection of the face, ears, nose, throat, and neck. Here examination of the eardrum is done using some instrument for fluid. This is usually called pneumatic otoscopy or tympanometry.

Audiometric Testing: This test is commonly done for the complaints like hearing loss or other balance disorders. Here the audiologist records the sounds you hear at every frequency in an audiogram that tells whether you’re pass-fail the screening test.

Nasal Endoscopy: This is usually performed in diagnosing patients with nasal, allergy, and sinus complaints. Once the decongestant combined spray is applied to your nose, the practitioner passes a small telescope to have widened view into the nostril to check for abnormal swelling, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, sinus drainage, etc.

Allergy Testing: This test is recommended for patients with allergy, asthma, or other nasal polyp complaints. Some skin pricks are performed with common airborne antigens to calculate a safe dose of immunotherapy.

CT Scans: This test is done on the sinuses and middle ear by the physician where you will be exposed to 80-90% of less radiation and the results are obtained in 60 seconds.