ENT Specialist Singapore, Dr. Dennis Chua

An otolaryngologist is what we know as an ENT (ear nose throat) specialist or doctor. They practice otolaryngology, the treatment, and management of ear nose throat head problems. These ENT otolaryngology specialists conduct ear nose throat and head neck surgery. 

ENT otolaryngology doctors specialize in treating a wide range of ear nose throat related conditions. These include head and neck conditions such as sinusitis, stuffy or blocked noses, nasal polyps, sleep apnea, snoring and many such ENT conditions. Otolaryngology is a highly specialized field and many of these ENT and head and neck conditions cannot be adequately treated by GPs or over-the-counter medication.

ENT conditions are very common and comprise up to 20% of adult consultations as well as up to 40% of paediatric consultations for general practitioners (GPs). Largely, many ENT conditions can be managed by GPs, but some conditions that are more serious and chronic will require an actual ENT specialist who can do ear nose and throat surgery.

Hearing Loss

The ear is a delicate instrument, consisting of 3 major parts – the external, middle and inner ear. Conductive hearing loss can happen when issues arise from the external and middle ear. These can prevent sound from being conducted down into the inner ear, hence known as conductive hearing loss. The problem can arise from a build up of excessive ear wax, infections occurring in the middle ear, fluid buildup in the middle ear, or damage to the ear rum.

Pituitary Gland Tumours

This gland is situated at the base of the brain and plays a major role in regulating other glands in the body, such as the adrenal glands and thyroid glands. A large range of other bodily functions are also controlled by the pituitary gland, hence it is sometimes regarded at the ‘master’ gland in the body.

In most cases, tumours forming in the pituitary gland are benign. This however, does mean that it is safe to ignore them. Due to where the pituitary gland is situated, a tumour that grows enough in size may affect parts of the brain, optic nerves and pituitary. This might lead to effects such as loss of vision. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the tumour to avoid worsening or complications of symptoms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Snoring might be a commonplace occurrence and source of night time frustrations, but it may also be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

In patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, their breathing is stopped when they sleep, repeatedly. This is due to the airway muscles relaxing as the person falls asleep. If overly relaxed, the muscles can collapse and block the upper airway.

This can happen hundreds of times in a night. This causes fragmented and interrupted sleep, as the body reacts to the reduced oxygen (and increase carbon dioxide) in the system by forcing the chest muscles, diaphragm to work harder to resume breathing and open up the airway. This can present itself as choking, gasping or jerking. It is often so short a duration that the person does not remember these events when he/she wakes up in the morning. However, the effects of poor sleep due to these interruptions have effects not only on daily energy levels — affecting performance at work or school, but also can lead to or exacerbate health conditions that can lead to serious problems or even death.

Head neck surgery covers surgical procedures used to identify, diagnose and treatment for cancers in the region, cancerous/malignant thyroid conditions, thyroid nodules, salivary glands and other diseases. Common examples of procedures in head and neck surgery are thyroidectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery.

Investigation and observation is first used to identify and diagnose possible problems such as malignant or benign lesions in the head and neck region. Once the investigative process is complete, the head neck specialist will then decide upon a treatment plan if required.

It is common for head and neck surgeons to work together with other related disciplines such as reconstructive & therapeutic surgery, dental surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, oncology or radiotherapy. This is done so that the treatment plan is comprehensive and takes the patient’s well being into account.

In Singapore, an ENT specialist is a doctor that has not only gone through medical school (usually a period of 5 years in NUS), but has to clear a very specific set of requirements to be considered an ‘ENT Specialist’.

After graduating from medical school, the aspiring specialist will have to intern (known as a Houseman or Intern) at a public hospital for a period of a year. After which they acquire the title of ‘Medical Officer’. During this time, these aspiring ‘ENT trainees’ would build up experience as they moved amongst the various ENT departments in Singapore.

The next step will then to enter into an ENT residency in Singapore is a comprises of a 5-year postgraduate surgical residency program. During this time, there will be various trainings and exams that they will have to clear.

Once the training requirements are met, the ENT resident then gains the status of a ‘Senior Resident’. Previously, this position was referred to as ‘Registrar’. From here on, they will be required to clear a national ENT exam held by NUS at the end of the second year of residency.

At the end of the 5th year of training, the ENT residents are required to pass yet another exam — known as the ‘Exit’ Exam. Only by passing this exam and clearing all required training will earn them the title of ‘ENT Specialist’ in Singapore.

When finding a good ear specialist Singapore, it is important that they have the requisite qualifications and also sufficient experience in ENT surgery. A good ENT clinic will have an ENT doctor trained internationally in head and neck surgery and can perform ENT related treatments and surgeries such as thyroid surgery, tonsillectomy, otoplasty, septoplasty, and more.

A good ENT Specialist Clinic will also have a good team of nurses who will help in administering support during surgery and will be in charge of dispensing medicine.

If you are suffering from ear nose throat (ENT) issues in Singapore, don’t wait and go see a proper ENT specialist or doctor today. A proper ENT doctor and his team of nurses will help you understand your diagnosis as well as your treatment options so that you may get the proper care that you and your loved ones deserve.

Approach a qualified ENT specialist at an ear nose throat clinic immediately to diagnose your ear nose throat head and neck (ENT) issues. ENT or ear nose throat conditions are more common than you think. Ear nose throat problems can affect patients of all ages. An ENT surgeon is a proper doctor to diagnose and treat ear nose throat (ENT) problems.

Conditions ENT specialists treat commonly include (but not an exhaustive list are): Pain, injuries and nerve problems in and around the ear, nose and throat regions, dizziness or balance conditions, hearing loss due to infections or obstructions, congenital defects that result in deformities in the ear, nose and throat regions, tinnitus, sinusitis or nasal congestion problems, loss of smell, deviated nasal septums, tumours and asthma.

If you have been diagnosed to have ear nose throat head (ENT) problems you will need to approach an ENT specialist for surgery to correct those ENT conditions. Please go to an ear clinic Singapore with a qualified ENT specialist in order to get the proper ENT treatment, which might include ear nose throat (ENT) surgery and other treatments.