Ear, Nose, Throat - ENT | Ochsner Health System

Problems associated with the ear, nose and throat can be relentless. Fortunately, so is the team at the Ochsner Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communication Sciences. This department provides ear, nose and throat (ENT) services, which have been a part of Ochsner since our founding in 1942. Our otolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons (ENT physicians) are consistently recognized as the best in Louisiana and one of the top programs in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. Ochsner ENT physicians are passionate about providing life-changing, innovative care to everyone from the newborn to the adult.

Why Choose Ochsner for ENT Care:

Coordinated and comprehensive management of ear, nose and throat diseases from diagnosis to rehabilitation
Innovative treatment strategies and surgical approaches
A highly experienced team that is recognized nationally for their expertise
Cost-effective, patient-centered, evidence-based care
Multiple locations throughout the region, with one close to you

While most primary care physicians in the region can handle the occasional sinus infection, sore throat or ear wax problem, they will typically refer their patients to Ochsner ENT when the symptoms linger or recur, or when further testing, monitoring, a second opinion or surgery may be required.

Conditions Treated

You should see Ochsner ENT when you have:

Hearing loss, especially in one ear or in children
Recurrent or chronic ear infections or drainage
Dizziness, balance problems, or frequent falls
Nasal blockage that doesn’t improve with one month of treatment
Recurrent sinus infections
Loss of smell
Persistent nasal drainage or postnasal drip
Hoarseness or change in voice
Chronic or recurrent sore throats
Snoring or sleep apnea
Problems swallowing
A mass or lump in the neck or on the face
A concern or diagnosis of head and neck cancer
Thyroid nodules or concerns for cancer
Growths or abnormalities in the mouth or throat
Salivary gland problems such as swelling or recurrent infections

Ochsner is home to the region’s only comprehensive offering of ENT subspecialists, all with advanced training, at a single address. We also feature the only fellowship trained sinus surgeons in New Orleans and, unlike “sinus centers” in the area, the Ochsner team is truly integrated with other specialties such as allergy/immunology and neurosurgery. While we offer many procedures right in our offices under local anesthesia, we also handle the most complex conditions and procedures.

The Ochsner ENT Team Evaluates and Treats:

Acute and chronic ear infections
Cholesteatoma
Hearing loss (in both adults and children), including hearing aids and surgical therapies
Vertigo or dizziness
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Airway disorders
Benign and malignant tumors of the ear and temporal bone
Allergies
Recurrent or chronic sinusitis
Nasal polyps
Chronic nasal obstruction
Deviated septum
Benign and malignant tumors of the nose, sinuses, and skull base
Facial trauma
Recurrent or chronic sore throats
Snoring and sleep apnea
Headaches
Hoarseness and other voice disorders
Swallowing disorders
Masses or lumps in the head and neck
Lesions or white/red patches in the mouth
Benign and malignant tumors of the mouth and throat (oral cavity and pharynx)
Benign and malignant tumors of the voice box (larynx)
Benign and malignant tumors of the salivary glands
Benign and malignant tumors of the thyroid gland
Melanoma
Advanced skin cancer
Complex wounds of the head and neck
Salivary gland dysfunction such as recurrent infections or swelling
Aging face, facial cosmetics, and facial reconstruction

Treatments Provided

Procedures we specialize in include:

Ear

Cochlear implantation
Tympanoplasty (ear drum reconstruction)
Mastoidectomy
Stapedectomy
Implantable hearing aids
Temporal bone resection
Removal of glomus tumors

Myringotomy with tube placement (tubes)

Nose

Septoplasty
Rhinoplasty
Nasal reconstruction (functional or for skin cancer)

Sinus

Minimally invasive sinus surgery
Revision sinus surgery
Turbinate reduction and other treatments for nasal blockage
Balloon Sinuplasty (sinus balloon dilation)
Polyp removal
Endoscopic tumor removal
Repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks
Treatment for clogged/blocked ears (Eustachian tubes)
Tear duct surgery

Throat

Tonsillectomy
Adenoidectomy
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Transoral robotic surgery
All minimally invasive or traditional cancer operations for the head and neck

Thyroid

Lobectomy
Total thyroidectomy
Total thyroidectomy with neck dissection

Airway

Complex endoscopic and open airway surgery

Audiology

The Audiology program at Ochsner is one of the leading and largest audiology centers in the Gulf South Region. We are a comprehensive hearing center, specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of hearing disorders in newborns, seniors and everyone in between. We provide the full spectrum of hearing health care from hearing screenings and diagnostic exams to the fitting of hearing aids and programming of implants. Learn more.