Ear, nose & throat (ENT) surgery

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) is a specialised area of medicine involved with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of problems in the ear, nose and throat. A doctor who specialises in this area is a Consultant ENT Surgeon.

People from Coventry and across Warwickshire visit The Meriden Hospital for help with a number of symptoms, including:

Ears

• Hearing loss 
• Ear wax problems 
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) 
• Discharge from the ears 
• Balance problems/dizziness 
• Blocked ears 
• Pain in the ears 
• General ‘lumps and bumps’ on the ear 
• Hole in the eardrum

Nose

• Blocked nose 
• Runny nose 
• Frequent nosebleeds 
• Difficulty breathing through one nostril 
• Loss of smell (anosmia) 
• Allergies/hay fever 
• Facial pain – can be caused by a sinus problem 
• Trauma to the nose 

Throat/Neck

• Recurring sore throats 
• Tonsilitis 
• Hoarse voice 
• Feeling like something is stuck in your throat 
• Snoring complaints 
• A lump or swelling in the neck 
• Swelling of the salivary glands 
• Post-nasal drip 
• Ulcers in mouth 
• Dry mouth

The Consultant ENT Surgeons at The Meriden Hospital provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment for any of these concerns. They work closely with other specialists to provide you with the treatment and care you need for your condition. (For example, mouth and dental problems are easily referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial team if required.)  

If your hearing is an issue, an audiologist will carry out a hearing test. Infections in the ear can often be treated with eardrops or by cleaning out of the ear with specialised equipment and a microscope.  

If your Consultant determines that your hearing loss is being caused by fluid in the middle ear (this is known as glue ear) grommets might be an option 

A blockage of the nose may be linked to a blockage of the ears. Carefully cleaning them out with a microscope can often resolve the problem.

Perforated eardrums will often heal naturally without the need for treatment, but if the hole is particularly large, you may need surgery to reconstruct the ear drum. Known as a myringoplasty, the ear drum is reconstructed with a skin graft.

People who suffer with severe or frequent popping ears may benefit from a Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty. 

Recurring tonsil problem may require the tonsils to be removed completely (a tonsillectomy) to treat the problem effectively.

Frequent or long-term blockage of the nostrils may require Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and/or a Nasal Polypectomy (removal of polyps). If the blockage is being caused by a crooked septum (the bone and cartilage dividing the two nostrils), a Septoplasty to correct the alignment may be beneficial.

In addition to those described above, there are a range of different treatment that can be helpful for ENT conditions. If surgery is advised, your Consultant will explain how it will be done, what the results should be any potential risks you should be aware of. It’s natural to have questions or concerns about treatment, and your Consultant will be happy to discuss these with you. 

When you first meet with your Consultant ENT Surgeon at The Meriden, they will take a medical history and ask you to describe your symptoms. They will want to know: 

• What symptoms you have? 
• How long you’ve had these symptoms for? 
• Whether you’ve tried any treatments already? If so, were they of any help?  
• Have your symptoms been getting worse or occurring more frequently? 
• Is there anything you’re worried about in particular about your symptoms (for example, are you concerned that you may have some type of cancer)? 

Your Consultant will examine the affected area(s) and may use special handheld instruments to help determine the extent of any condition. 

An otoscope will often be used to examine inside the ears. 

Many nose and throat conditions can be investigated and diagnosed with a nasal or throat endoscopy. This involves passing a small thin tube (the endoscope) with a light and camera attached to it up your nose and around into the back of your throat. This gives a good view of these areas, allowing your Consultant to look for any abnormalities such as a blockage or swelling.

For swallowing difficulties or problems with your throat and larynx (voice box), a laryngoscopy or pharyngoscopy can also be carried out with endoscopy. 

Additional scans may be needed, such as a CT of the sinuses. Our comprehensive on-site diagnostic capabilities include X-ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound, so any of these are easily and quickly arranged for you if needed.

For some conditions, a biopsy (removal of a sample of tissue that is then sent away for investigation) may be needed. This may be carried out under ultrasound guidance.

Once the results of any tests are back, your Consultant will talk about them with you and discuss treatment options.  

Some people visit our ENT team as a result of a referral from their GP or private medical insurance provider. Others are recommended by family and friends, who have been helped by us previously. 

Some people live in Coventry itself, while others travel from other parts of Warwickshire to benefit from the expertise of our Consultant ENT Surgeons.

When you choose to visit The Meriden for your ENT treatment at The Meriden Hospital, you’ll benefit from: 

• Rapid access to an expert – Certain ear, nose and throat conditions are more easily treated when they’re discovered at the earliest possible stage. If you’re experiencing any symptoms in your ear, nose or throat, it’s reassuring to know that you can be seen by an experienced Consultant ENT Surgeon quickly and easily. By getting a diagnosis earlier, you’ll be able to see the benefits from any treatment sooner. 
• Treatment ASAP – Some minor ENT procedures, such as nasal or throat endoscopy, can often be done on the same day as your initial consultation, meaning fewer hospital visits for you.
• Tailored care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment. Your Consultant will tailor treatment to your specific condition and requirements to ensure you get the best results possible. They will oversee every aspect of your care, from initial appointment through to treatment, post-treatment follow-up and discharge, giving excellent continuity of care. 
• Teamwork – Your Consultant ENT Surgeon is supported by a wider healthcare team, including nurses, anaesthetists, oncologists and radiologists. Fast, simple access to any member of this multidisciplinary team means you will always receive help from the most appropriate specialist for your particular needs at all times. 
• Convenient appointments – With ENT appointments available throughout the week, it is very easy to book an appointment for a time that suits your availability. For your convenience, we also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).

If you are worried about any ear, nose or throat symptoms, why not book a private ENT appointment in Coventry now? We look forward to welcoming you to The Meriden Hospital and helping you to access the support you need without delay.