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ENT doctor holding a man’s earlobe and looking into his ear with an otoscope.

Conditions Ear, nose and throat

Our ears, nose, and throat enable our senses of hearing, smell, taste, and balance. Our mouth and neck area not only allow us to eat, they also provide the anatomical basis for our ability to speak. ENT disorders are very diverse and varied.

Ear, nose and throat

Sinusitis: man sitting at a table containing paper towels, a thermometer, tablets, a bottle of nasal drops and a pan. The main is holding a towel over his head, bending over the pan and inhaling. Sinusitis: man sitting at a table containing paper towels, a thermometer, tablets, a bottle of nasal drops and a pan. The main is holding a towel over his head, bending over the pan and inhaling.

Sinusitis

Someone who suffers from sinusitis has, for example, a blocked nose and a feeling of pressure in the forehead or jaw.

Tinnitus: woman holding a finger to her ear and looking skeptical. Tinnitus: woman holding a finger to her ear and looking skeptical.

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Most people experience tinnitus from time to time, for example after a loud concert. But people with tinnitus hear constant sounds like whistling or humming in their ears without any apparent reason.

Acute middle ear infection (otitis media): doctor looking into a boy’s ear. Acute middle ear infection (otitis media): doctor looking into a boy’s ear.

Acute middle ear infection

Middle ear infections are one of the most common illnesses among small children. Children with an infection cry often and complain of pain.

A woman clutching her throat A woman clutching her throat

Tonsillitis

Acute tonsillitis is accompanied by a sore throat and fever. Recurring tonsillitis in short intervals can be very difficult to endure.

A child touching their sore throat. A child touching their sore throat.

Inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis)

Inflammation of the epiglottis is usually caused by bacteria. Immediate treatment is required, as it can cause acute shortness of breath.

Treatment room – a doctor looking into a girl’s mouth Treatment room – a doctor looking into a girl’s mouth

Bacterial throat infection (pharyngitis)

A throat infection (pharyngitis) is usually caused by viruses. However, it can also be caused by bacteria, such as Streptococcus bacteria. This is known as streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat).

A doctor feels the left and right sides of a patient’s throat. A doctor feels the left and right sides of a patient’s throat.

Salivary stones

If a painful swelling occurs in a salivary gland while eating, the cause is usually a salivary stone. It is often sufficient to simply stimulate the flow of saliva to flush the stone out.

A doctor examines a patient’s ear. A doctor examines a patient’s ear.

Sudden hearing loss

Sometimes, people suddenly suffer a sudden loss of hearing for an unknown reason. Immediate diagnosis is important due to the risk of permanent hearing damage. Treatment is sometimes required.

A doctor examines the lymph nodes in a young patient’s neck. A doctor examines the lymph nodes in a young patient’s neck.

Glandular fever

Glandular fever is an infectious disease that is triggered by certain herpes viruses. It is usually transmitted in saliva. Hygiene measures are essential to prevention.

Mumps vaccination: girl lying on a trolley being vaccinated in her upper arm. Mumps vaccination: girl lying on a trolley being vaccinated in her upper arm.

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that typically causes swelling of the parotid glands. It can affect both children and adults. Vaccination protects against the disease.

A woman is sitting on a chair with a black cat on the backrest. She is holding a tissue to her face with one hand. A woman is sitting on a chair with a black cat on the backrest. She is holding a tissue to her face with one hand.

Animal allergy

In an animal allergy it is not the fur that causes a reaction, but proteins that are found in the animal’s saliva, for instance. Avoiding contact with the animal can help, as can taking medication.

A woman in a lab coat holding a model of a larynx in her hands. A woman in a lab coat holding a model of a larynx in her hands.

Vocal cord nodules

Vocal cord nodules typically cause hoarseness. They usually disappear again when the voice is rested or with voice therapy.

The image shows a child with the reddened tongue that is typical of scarlet fever. The image shows a child with the reddened tongue that is typical of scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever bacteria (streptococci) cause an illness in children with symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat, and a distinctive skin rash.

An older woman sitting on a bed, holding one hand to her forehead. An older woman sitting on a bed, holding one hand to her forehead.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

When a person feels dizzy, it may be due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This is caused by deposits in the balance organ in the ear. The dizziness usually stops after a few weeks.

A doctor offering medication to a woman. She is holding up her hand to refuse it. A doctor offering medication to a woman. She is holding up her hand to refuse it.

Medication allergy

Medication can also have undesired effects. These side effects include allergic reactions. When this happens, the immune system reacts to ingredients found in the medication.

A middle-aged man clutching his voicebox A middle-aged man clutching his voicebox

Acute laryngitis

Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) is usually caused by a viral infection of the upper airways. Hoarseness, sore throat and coughing are typical symptoms. The voice needs rest during laryngitis.

Laryngeal cancer: older man clutching his throat with his left hand. A doctor is sitting opposite him holding a tablet in both hands. Laryngeal cancer: older man clutching his throat with his left hand. A doctor is sitting opposite him holding a tablet in both hands.

Laryngeal cancer

Significantly more men than women develop laryngeal cancer. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for the disease.

A doctor examines a patient’s ear with an otoscope A doctor examines a patient’s ear with an otoscope

Inflammation of the eardrum

An acute inflammation of the eardrum (myringitis) is caused by viruses and bacteria. Earache is a common symptom. A chronic inflammation often causes no pain.

Older woman having her hearing aid adjusted. Older woman having her hearing aid adjusted.

Hearing loss and deafness in adults

People with hearing loss are limited in understanding spoken language. They are also less able to perceive sounds. If a person’s hearing is (almost) non-existent, this is referred to as deafness.

Woman fitting a young boy with a hearing aid. Woman fitting a young boy with a hearing aid.

Hearing loss and deafness in children

Hearing disorders/impairment in children can have various causes. If the causes cannot be eliminated, hearing aids or auditory prostheses (cochlear implants) can help.

A doctor examines a young woman’s enlarged thyroid gland by touch. A doctor examines a young woman’s enlarged thyroid gland by touch.

Goiter

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. The most common cause is an iodine deficiency. Various treatment options are available.

A woman with a towel wrapped around her head coughs into her open hand to check her breath. A woman with a towel wrapped around her head coughs into her open hand to check her breath.

Bad breath (halitosis)

If a person has “bad breath”, breathing out causes an unpleasant odor. In most cases, good oral and dental hygiene helps relieve the problem. Find out what causes bad breath and how to prevent it.

Photograph of cauliflower ear with compacted cartilage Photograph of cauliflower ear with compacted cartilage

Cauliflower ear

Bruising of the external ear may cause the cartilage to shrivel, fold in on itself and form fibrous tissue, leading to a deformity known as cauliflower ear. This can be prevented by rapid treatment.

Oral cancer: doctor examining an older man’s mouth. The man has his mouth open wide. The doctor is pressing his tongue down with a wooden tongue depressor and shining a light into his mouth. Oral cancer: doctor examining an older man’s mouth. The man has his mouth open wide. The doctor is pressing his tongue down with a wooden tongue depressor and shining a light into his mouth.

Oral and throat cancer

Oral and throat cancer are tumor diseases that typically originate in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity or throat.