Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors in Virginia

HCA Virginia's doctors offer comprehensive care for the ears, nose and throat. Here, our board-certified ENT specialists (otolaryngologists) work alongside a team of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, using the most advanced technology to offer surgical and non-surgical treatments.

For more information about our ENT services or for help finding an otolaryngologist, call our free, 24/7 Consult-A-Nurse® line.

What is an otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngologists are doctors who are specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions that impact the head and neck. This includes structures such as the ear canals, sinuses, tonsils and esophagus. These doctors may sometimes be referred to as "ENT specialists" or even just "ENTs."

HCA Virginia hospitals have board-certified ENT doctors on staff. This means they have received extra certifications for their advanced knowledge and high-quality care. They take these steps to ensure our patients can receive expert care for everything from seasonal allergy symptoms to thyroid and parathyroid cancers.

ENT conditions we treat

Our ENT specialists can diagnose and treat most conditions and diseases of the head and neck, including:

Ear disorders

  • Balance disorders
  • Birth disorders involving the inner and outer ear
  • Ear infections
  • Facial and cranial nerve disorders
  • Hearing loss
  • Nerve pain
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Swimmer’s ear

Nose disorders

  • Nasal cavity and sinus issues, including chronic sinusitis
  • Non-emergent breathing problems
  • Sense-of-smell problems
  • Stuffy nose and nose bleeding

Throat disorders

Treatment for ENT conditions

Our ENT specialists provide diagnostic, reconstructive (plastic) and therapeutic surgical treatments on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. However, we will exhaust all nonsurgical therapies before considering minimally invasive procedures.

Additional ENT-related services

Specialized programs are available at HCA Virginia to offer additional help for issues stemming from an ENT condition.

Swallowing therapy

We have physical therapy and rehabilitation programs that provide advanced therapies available for those with dysphasia, which means difficulty or discomfort swallowing. Traditional treatments for dysphasia include speech therapy, patient education, swallowing exercises and diet modifications.

Allergy and immunology care

Because allergies can often be related to ENT issues, our otolaryngologists collaborate with our allergy specialists and your primary care physician to ensure that you receive the best possible treatment and follow-up care.

What are allergies?

Allergies are the body’s chronic, abnormal reactions to what are ordinarily harmless substances in the environment. Many things, including mold, dust, pollen, pet dander, insect stings and some foods, can cause allergic reactions.

What is immunology?

Immunology is the area of medicine that deals with immune system disorders, including allergies, autoimmune diseases and immune deficiency. An allergist/immunologist is a physician with advanced training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of allergies and immune system disorders.

Common allergy symptoms

If you have an allergy, your immune system views the substance (allergen) that causes your hypersensitive reaction as an invader. Your body responds with a protective, chemical chain reaction that may produce symptoms, such as:

  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat or eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy nose (congestion)
  • Tearing eyes

For some people, allergies can also trigger symptoms of asthma, a chronic condition that causes inflammation, or narrowing of the airways.