ENT Specialist in Sharjah

What does an ENT specialist treat?

ENT — otolaryngology — covers the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. It is one of the busiest specialties in the UAE, largely because the climate and air quality drive a high rate of sinus and allergy problems.

ENT surgeons are both physicians and surgeons. Most patients are treated medically; surgery is reserved for conditions that do not respond.

When should you see an ENT specialist?

See an ENT specialist for a blocked or runny nose lasting more than twelve weeks, recurrent sinus infections, reduced hearing, ear pain or discharge, ringing in the ears, recurrent tonsillitis, persistent sore throat, hoarseness lasting more than three weeks, snoring or suspected sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, or a lump in the neck.

Hoarseness persisting beyond three weeks should always be assessed, particularly in smokers. It is usually benign, but it is the symptom that must not be ignored.

Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, inability to swallow saliva, severe sudden hearing loss, or significant bleeding from the nose that will not stop. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a genuine emergency — treatment works best within the first few days.

What happens at your appointment?

Examination in ENT is direct and usually immediate. Your specialist will examine your ears with an otoscope, your nose, and your throat.

A flexible nasendoscope — a thin camera passed through the nose — is often used to view the nasal passages, the back of the throat and the vocal cords. Local anaesthetic spray is used, the procedure takes under a minute, and it is uncomfortable rather than painful. It frequently provides the diagnosis on the spot.

Hearing assessment can usually be arranged the same day. Mention it when you book so time is allocated.

Sinus problems and allergy

Chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are extremely common here. Dust, sand, high pollen at certain times of year, and long hours in air conditioning all contribute.

Symptoms — blocked nose, facial pressure, post-nasal drip, reduced sense of smell, poor sleep, chronic throat clearing — are frequently accepted as normal by people who have had them for years. They are not normal and they are treatable.

Treatment starts with identifying whether the cause is allergic, structural such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps, or infective. Most cases are managed with medication, nasal steroid sprays and allergy control.

Nasal sprays are the most commonly mis-used medication in ENT. Technique matters, and they take weeks to reach full effect — most people stop too early, aim them wrongly, or both. Ask to be shown.

Hearing

Hearing loss affects children and adults for different reasons.

In children, glue ear — fluid behind the eardrum — is common and can affect speech development and school performance before anyone realises hearing is the issue. A child described as inattentive at school is sometimes a child who cannot hear clearly.

In adults, causes range from wax to age-related loss to noise damage. Untreated hearing loss has effects well beyond hearing, including social withdrawal and measurable impact on cognitive health.

A hearing test is quick and painless. It maps which frequencies are affected and by how much, which determines the treatment.

Tinnitus

Ringing or buzzing in the ears is common and often distressing. It is usually associated with some degree of hearing loss.

While there is rarely a cure, effective management exists — including addressing any hearing loss, sound therapy and techniques that reduce the intrusiveness of the sound. Assessment also rules out the uncommon causes that need specific treatment, particularly tinnitus in one ear only.

Tonsils and adenoids

Recurrent tonsillitis disrupts school, work and sleep. Removal is considered when episodes are frequent and well documented, or when enlarged tonsils and adenoids obstruct breathing during sleep.

In children, obstructed sleep affects growth, behaviour and concentration. A child who snores heavily, sleeps restlessly and is tired or irritable during the day should be assessed.

Snoring and sleep apnea

Snoring is common. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition, and the two are frequently confused.

Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to daytime exhaustion, poor concentration, and increased cardiovascular risk over time. It is significantly under-diagnosed.

If your partner reports that you stop breathing during sleep, or you wake unrefreshed despite adequate hours, it is worth assessing. Diagnosis involves a sleep study; treatment ranges from weight management and positional therapy to CPAP or surgery depending on severity and cause.

Voice and throat

Hoarseness, voice loss, chronic throat clearing and the sensation of a lump in the throat. Causes include acid reflux, vocal cord nodules, infection and, less commonly, more serious pathology.

Reflux affecting the throat often occurs without heartburn, which is why patients are surprised by the diagnosis. Endoscopic examination gives a direct view and usually a rapid answer.

What if surgery is recommended?

Many ENT procedures are day cases — you come in and go home the same day. Your surgeon will explain what the operation involves, the recovery period, what to expect afterwards, and the alternatives.

Recovery from throat surgery in particular is often more uncomfortable than patients expect, and knowing that in advance makes it easier to manage.

Children's ENT

Ear infections, glue ear, tonsils and adenoids, and breathing problems during sleep make up most pediatric ENT work. Assessment is age-appropriate, including hearing testing in infants.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE plans cover ENT consultation, hearing assessment and endoscopy. Sleep studies and some surgical procedures may require pre-approval. Contact us on 06 599 7777 to confirm.