ENT (ear, nose and throat) medicine covers hearing, balance, the nose and sinuses, the throat and sleep-related breathing. Many ENT symptoms, such as hearing loss, a blocked nose or snoring, have several possible causes, and the right first step depends far more on which cause is present than on any particular procedure.
In short
Some common ENT problems settle without treatment: sinusitis usually clears within 4 weeks and tonsillitis often within a few days.36 Others, such as earwax or an ear infection, are treated by dealing with the cause, while permanent hearing loss is usually managed with hearing aids and, for some people, a hearing implant.1 Surgery is generally considered only after other treatment has been tried, and sudden hearing loss is an urgent problem rather than one to research online.1
What this field covers
- Ears and hearing: hearing loss, earwax, ear infections, tinnitus (ringing or other sounds in the ears), balance problems, hearing aids and implants.
- Nose and sinuses: blocked nose, sinusitis, nasal polyps, a deviated septum (the wall between the nostrils) and enlarged turbinates (the ridges inside the nose).
- Throat: recurrent tonsillitis and swallowing problems. Voice problems have their own section under voice surgery.
- Sleep-related breathing: snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, where the airway narrows during sleep.4
Start with the cause
| Concern or symptom | Possible causes | Usual first step / type of specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing loss | Ageing or long-term noise damage, earwax, an ear infection, a perforated eardrum, labyrinthitis or Ménière’s disease1 | GP or pharmacist for wax or infection; hearing test and ENT or audiology referral for persistent loss |
| Tinnitus | Hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, anxiety or depression, some medicines2 | GP; hearing assessment; talking therapies or sound therapy where no treatable cause is found2 |
| Blocked nose or facial pressure | Sinusitis (usually viral), allergy, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates35 | Self-care or pharmacist first; GP; ENT referral if symptoms persist after 3 months of treatment, keep returning or affect only one side3 |
| Snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime tiredness | Obstructive sleep apnoea, linked to obesity, a large neck, alcohol, smoking, large tonsils or adenoids and sleeping on the back4 | GP; sleep study, usually at home4 |
| Repeated sore throats | Recurrent tonsillitis, other throat infections | GP; tonsillectomy is usually considered only for severe tonsillitis that keeps coming back6 |
Main types of option
| Option | What it can do | What it cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Watchful waiting and self-care | Sinusitis and tonsillitis often settle on their own; salt-water nasal rinses and painkillers can ease symptoms36 | Resolve polyps, which do not get better without treatment5 |
| Medicines | Steroid nasal sprays or drops shrink swelling and polyps; antibiotics are needed only rarely for sinusitis35 | Correct a structural blockage such as a deviated septum |
| Devices and therapies | Hearing aids for permanent hearing loss; CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or a mandibular advancement device for sleep apnoea; CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or sound therapy for tinnitus124 | Restore damaged hearing; devices work only while used |
| Surgery | Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for chronic sinusitis, polyp removal, tonsillectomy, hearing implants for selected people1356 | Prevent every recurrence: polyps commonly grow back within a few years5 |
| Lifestyle change | Weight loss, less alcohol and stopping smoking can help sleep apnoea4 | Ensure the apnoea resolves; some people still need a device |
What cannot be decided online
The type and degree of hearing loss can only be established by an ear examination and hearing tests. Whether a blocked nose comes from swelling, polyps or the structure of the septum needs an examination inside the nose, often with an endoscope (a thin camera), and sometimes a scan. Sleep apnoea is graded by an overnight sleep study, not by how loud the snoring is.4 Symptoms on only one side of the face are a reason for specialist referral rather than self-treatment.3
When to seek urgent medical help
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, or hearing that has worsened over days or weeks: get an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111.1
- Tinnitus after a head injury, or with sudden hearing loss, weakness in the face or vertigo: go to A&E or call 999.2
- Tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse: urgent GP appointment.2
- A severe sore throat that quickly gets worse, swelling inside the mouth or throat, or difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing or opening the mouth: go to A&E or call 999.6
Guides in this section
Related guides elsewhere: cochlear implants, functional rhinoplasty and voice surgery.
Common questions
- Why Is Sudden Hearing Loss an Emergency?
- What Causes Tinnitus, and What Helps?
- What Does Hearing With a Cochlear Implant Sound Like?
- Can You Have an MRI Scan With a Cochlear Implant?
- What Is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)?
- What Is Turbinate Reduction?
- What Is Septoplasty?
- Can Rhinoplasty Improve Breathing?
- What Are the Treatment Options for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea?
- What Should Adults Know About Tonsillectomy?
Sources
- NHS. Hearing loss. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/ Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Tinnitus. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tinnitus/ Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Sinusitis (sinus infection). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/ Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Sleep apnoea. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/ Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Nasal polyps. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nasal-polyps/ Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Tonsillitis. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/ Accessed 5 November 2026.