This encompasses a wide range of methods used to optimise or reclaim a person’s ability to hear. There are several components to this program ranging from hearing-aid fitting, auditory-visual training conversational strategies, environmental training and counselling.

Airway reconstruction also known as laryngotracheal reconstruction is a surgical procedure that is used to remove an obstruction in the windpipe or widen this area if it has been obstructed. It is most often performed on children who have congenital disorders that block the airways but is also performed on adults. Surgical or endoscopic methods can be employed to carry out this procedure. An obstruction in the airway can occur due to a Laryngotracheal tumour, infection or injury to the windpipe. Obstruction of the airway can lead to conditions such as sleep apnea, inability to swallow, hoarse voice, inability to breathe and difficulty eating.

A preferred method by doctors and surgeons to help cure chronic sinusitis when traditional methods have yielded no results. This procedure entails the use of an endoscope with surgical instruments attached to it, allowing the doctor to remove small amounts of bone or other material that is blocking the sinus opening. In some cases, a laser is used to burn away the tissue that is causing the obstruction.

This procedure is performed using a tool known as a flexible bronchoscope, to inspect the lungs and air passages for lung disorders. It is also used to remove mucus in the airways and lungs and lungs, treatment for bleeding, an abnormal narrowing of the airways or a collapsed lung.

Unlike regular hearing aids that boosts sound, a cochlear implant is used for people with severe hearing loss due to the damaged portions of the ear that deliver sound to the auditory (hearing) nerve. These implants use a sound processor which captures signals and sends them to a receiver implanted under the skin behind the ear. This receiver then sends those signals to electrodes implanted within the cochlea in the ear that stimulates the hearing nerve, which sends those signals to the brain interpreting them as sounds.

ENT specialists diagnose and treat various issues regarding the ears, nose, face, lips and neck. Facial plastic surgery under this domain can be of two types – reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive procedures are performed for patients with congenital disorders such as birthmarks, cleft lip and palate, protruding ears and a crooked smile that affect normal functions. Other conditions treated may include surgery for burns, trauma or corrective surgery.

Under cosmetic surgery, procedures are used to enhance the visual appearance of the facial structures and features of a patient. Common procedures may include facelifts, eye lifts, rhinoplasty, chin and cheek implants, liposuction and correcting facial wrinkles.

This procedure is used to repair a common birth defect on infants who are 10-12 months old, where the opening in the upper lip and roof of the mouth (palate). Cleft lips are usually diagnosed during an ultrasound. However, a cleft palate is harder to see until the baby’s born and goes through a newborn exam. If left untreated, this condition causes feeding issues, growth and developmental issues, ear infections and speech impediments.

Bone anchored implants are surgically implanted devices that help with hearing for people with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness.

Using these devices, the implant sends sounds as a vibration directly to the best functioning inner for clear and direct hearing.

Middle ear implants on the other hand are suitable for people with mild-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. This implant is considered the best alternative to hearing aids for patients who suffer from outer ear infections, narrow or closed ear canals or malformed ears. This implant has two parts – a surgically implanted part and the external processor. The processor picks up signals and transmits them to a receiver that’s embedded below the skin. This receiver is then attached to either the bones of the middle ear or the membrane window of the cochlea. This implant works by directly moving the bones of the middle ear or by vibrating the membrane window of the cochlea.

There are four different surgeries used to treat middle ear disorders:

• Myringoplasty – used to repair a hole in the eardrum.
• Ossiculoplasty – rectification of the middle ear bones which are responsible for transmitting sound from the eardrum into the inner ear.
• Tympanoplasty – used to repair a hole in the eardrum and treat the small bones in the ear that are crucial for hearing.
• Mastoidectomy – this is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the flat air cavities in the mastoid bone behind the ear.