Ear, nose and throat (ENT)

Ear problems can affect hearing and balance. Hearing loss and recurring ear infections can be a problem in daily life. The best way to figure out ear problems is by using special instruments and tests, including microscopy.

Due to the size of the ear, treating ear disease usually requires specialized training. While ear wax can be a recurring annoyance, the chronically (repeated, ongoing) draining ear can be the first sign of more serious problems.

Our providers understand the complex structure of the ear and how it works. We can help figure out your ear problems using state-of-the-art technology. We also offer hearing services for all of your hearing aid needs.

Surgical and nonsurgical care depends on the severity and nature of your problem. With the help of our audiology department, we'll tell you about all the ways to improve hearing while maintaining safe and healthy ears.

Our providers can help you with:

• Cerumen (wax)
• Cholesteatoma (destructive cyst inside the ear)
• Hearing loss
• Fluid in ears
• Vertigo (dizziness and balance problems)
• Ear fullness
• Draining ear
• Recurring ear infections

Services offered:

• Wax removal
• Myringotomy (making a small cut in the ear drum to help with pressure and drain fluid)
• Pressure equalization tubes
• Tympanoplasty (to repair a hole in eardrum)
• Mastoidectomy (surgery to remove part of the mastoid or the part of the skull behind the ear)
• Ossicular chain reconstruction (middle ear bone surgery)
• Stapedectomy (ear surgery to help with hearing loss)
• Vestibular testing (a test to look at the parts of the ear that involve balance)
• Advanced ear surgery

Our providers have broad knowledge in caring for the pediatric patient. A visit with the ENT department is not uncommon for children, as the tonsils and adenoids enlarge (get bigger).

Sleep apnea, recurring tonsillitis and ear infections are common in the Pacific Northwest. Our providers can deliver unique medical and surgical solutions to help with these disorders.

Nasal obstruction (blockage), hearing loss, neck lumps and bumps can be found early and a complete plan of care established. All our surgeons can do a high volume of pediatric ENT surgery, allowing for smooth and safe surgery, and scheduling with ease.

Our outpatient surgery center is well-equipped and staffed to help pediatric patients and their families with a soothing space.

Our providers can help with:

• Recurring sore throat
• Voice disorders
• Congenital (an issue one is born with) cosmetic concerns
• Neck masses
• Recurring ear infections
• Hearing loss
• Nasal congestion
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Services offered:

• Sinus surgery
• Cosmetic surgery
• Tongue tie release
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Myringotomy with tubes (ear tubes)
• Turbinate reduction
• Thyroglossal duct cyst removal (removal of growth near thyroid gland)
• Branchial cleft cyst removal (removal of lump on neck or below collarbone)

We're a center of excellence for helping patients with diseases of the nose, sinuses and skull base. We're trained to use advanced endoscopic techniques (when a doctor uses a device on a long thin tube to see inside the body) and cutting-edge technologic equipment.

Our doctors will help you solve your problems and improve your quality of life, including:

• Rhinitis (runny nose)
• Recurring sinus infections (infections that come back often)
• Nasal obstruction (blockage)
• Olfactory limitations (problems with sense of smell)
• Nasal polyps (small growths in the nasal membranes)
• Sinus and nasal tumors (cancerous or noncancerous growths)

Services offered:

• Balloon sinuplasty 
• Nasal endoscopy (when a doctor uses a device on a long thin tube to see inside the body)
• Septoplasty 
• Turbinate reduction (a way doctors can help improve air flow in the nose)
• Nasal polypectomy (removing a polyp in the nose)
• Endoscopic sinus surgery
• Placement of drug-eluting (coated with medication) stents into sinuses or supports to help with sinus blockages
• Computer-assisted image guidance (surgery using computer technology)
• Office-based minor surgeries

Head and neck surgeons are otolaryngologists who have special training in treating tumors of the head and neck. Several of our providers have specialized knowledge and advanced training to do thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Thyroid nodules are common in adults. Surgery may be needed for enlargement of nodules or suspicion of cancer.

Open lymph node biopsy (when a sample of tissue is taken from the body and tested) or lymph node dissection can be necessary for diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. Our surgeons work with clinicians in radiation and medical oncology to give complete treatment for cancer.

Salivary gland pathology, including parotid and submandibular (beneath the jaw) gland stones and tumors, are best treated by a head and neck surgeon.

Our providers can help with:

• Neck mass
• Tongue lesions
• Tonsil masses
• Mouth and throat tumors
• Salivary gland disorders
• Hyperparathyroidism (elevated calcium level)
• Thyroid tumors, benign (not harmful) and cancerous growths
• Goiters (when the thyroid gland is abnormally large)

Services offered:

• Thyroidectomy (taking out the thyroid)
• Parathyroidectomy (taking out the parathyroid gland behind thyroid gland)
• Mouth and throat tumor surgery
• Removal of neck tumors
• Open lymph node biopsy
• Tongue resection (partial or complete removal of tongue)
• Parotidectomy (taking out the parotid gland)
• Submandibular gland excision (taking out the saliva gland below the lower jaw)

We offer complete voice and vocal cord evaluation. Diseases of the larynx (voice box) include:

• Laryngitis (when vocal cords are inflamed)
• Vocal cord nodules (growth of abnormal tissue)
• Vocal polyps (growth of abnormal tissue)
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Muscle tension voice disorders
• Spasmodic dysphonia (a voice disorder)

These problems can be challenging to learn the cause of and require the experienced ears and eyes of a laryngologist. A laryngologist diagnoses and treats illnesses, conditions and injuries of the larynx, often called the voice box. 

A laryngologist can help with adult and pediatric voice issues. They work in coordination with speech pathology (speech therapy). Many problems don't require surgery and can be taken care of with a change in vocal habits and hygiene.

Stroboscopy can help find voice disorders. Stroboscopy allows the laryngologist to study vibration, movement and architecture of the vocal cords, along with the patient.

The observer (including you) can view the subtleties in how vocal cords work which can make a tremendous difference in vocal pitch, range, effort and quality. You'll leave with a complete visual and pictorial understanding of how your larynx works.

Our providers can help you with:

• Hoarseness
• Voice loss
• Swallowing problems
• Globus (lump in throat)
• Airway concerns, stridor (high-pitched wheezing caused by a disrupted airflow)

Services offered:

• Laryngoscopy
• Stroboscopy 
• Laryngeal phonomicrosurgery (special surgery on vocal cords)
• Awake laryngeal biopsy 
• Laryngeal laser surgery (surgery on larynx using lasers)
• Surgical excision of vocal nodules and polyps
• Removing precancerous and cancerous lesions on the larynx
• Cervical esophageal surgery (for cancer of the part of the body that connects the throat and stomach)
• Esophageal dilation and Botox®